Free Radical Production and Characterization of heat-Not-Burn Cigarettes in Comparison to Conventional and Electronic Cigarettes.

Introduction:
This text discusses a study that compares the production of free radicals in heat-not-burn (hnB) cigarettes, conventional cigarettes, and electronic cigarettes (e-cigs). The study used electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) to measure and partially characterize the free radicals produced by these products.

Key Points:

* The study found that conventional cigarettes produce the highest levels of free radicals, both in the gas phase and particulate phase.
* hnB products (IqOS, Glo, and Ploom) and e-cigs (Juul, SREC, and box mod e-cig) produce significantly lower levels of gas-phase free radicals compared to conventional cigarettes.
* The gas-phase free radicals produced by hnB products and e-cigs are less polar than those produced by conventional cigarettes.
* Particulate-phase radicals were only detected in conventional cigarettes.
* The study also found that the nicotine delivery of hnB products and e-cigs is lower than that of conventional cigarettes.
* When expressed on a per nicotine basis, hnB products and e-cigs produce more gas-phase radicals compared to conventional cigarettes.
* The levels of free radical exposure from hnB products and e-cigs are still significant and may pose health risks.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of considering free radical production in the evaluation of the toxicological profile of nicotine delivery products. The findings suggest that hnB products and e-cigs produce lower levels of free radicals compared to conventional cigarettes, but the levels are still significant and may pose health risks. additionally, the study found that hnB products and e-cigs produce more free radicals per nicotine delivered compared to conventional cigarettes. Therefore, it is important to regulate these products carefully and provide accurate information to consumers about their potential health risks.

Bitzer ZT, Goel R, Trushin N, Muscat J, Richie JP. Free Radical Production and Characterization of heat-Not-Burn Cigarettes in Comparison to Conventional and Electronic Cigarettes. Chemical research in toxicology. 2020;33(7):1882-1887. doi:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.0c00088