Carbon monoxide concentration in mainstream E-cigarette emissions measured with diode laser spectroscopy.

Introduction:
This text is a scientific study on the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) in the emissions of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). The study uses diode laser spectroscopy to measure the concentration of CO in the e-cigarette mainstream effluent as a function of e-cigarette power and flavor. The text also discusses the potential health effects of CO exposure and the implications of the study's findings for e-cigarette regulations.

Key Points:

* The study found that CO concentration in e-cigarette emissions is a direct function of the power of the resistive heating and can reach over 180 parts per million (ppm) at the highest powers testable using commercial e-cigarette components.
* The flavoring compounds in the e-fluid also affect the concentration of CO present in the effluent.
* CO is usually produced from incomplete combustion or the oxidation of organic materials. The heat produced during the resistive heating-aerosolisation process in e-cigarettes has the potential to oxidise organic materials into CO and carbon dioxide.
* Exposures to both high and low concentrations of CO have different but serious health effects, including headaches, death, and cognitive impacts.
* Vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing coronary artery disease are particularly vulnerable to CO exposure.
* The study's findings suggest that e-cigarette emissions can reach toxicologically significant values and counter the notion that e-cigarettes only heat and vaporise the liquid.
* The study highlights the need for further research on the contribution of specific flavoring compounds to CO concentration and for e-cigarette manufacturers to consider limiting the range of power available on their devices to minimize CO production and exposures.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential health risks of CO exposure from e-cigarette emissions, particularly for vulnerable populations. The findings suggest that e-cigarette emissions can reach toxicologically significant values, countering the notion that e-cigarettes only heat and vaporise the liquid. The study emphasizes the need for further research on the contribution of specific flavoring compounds to CO concentration and for e-cigarette manufacturers to consider limiting the range of power available on their devices to minimize CO production and exposures. Overall, the text underscores the importance of regulating e-cigarettes to protect public health.

Casebolt R, Cook SJ, Islas a, Brown a, Castle K, Dutcher DD. Carbon monoxide concentration in mainstream E-cigarette emissions measured with diode laser spectroscopy. Tobacco control. 2020;29(6):652-655. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2019-055078