Summary
Introduction:
This text summarizes a study on the levels of various volatile toxicants and carcinogens in the urine of e-cigarette users, non-smokers, and cigarette smokers over a period of 4-6 months. The study aims to evaluate the potential health effects of e-cigarette use.
Key Points:
* The study included 30 e-cigarette users, 63 non-smokers, and 33 cigarette smokers who provided monthly urine samples.
* Urinary biomarkers of exposure to volatile toxicants and carcinogens, including acrolein, benzene, acrylonitrile, and crotonaldehyde, were quantified.
* a linear mixed model and a left-censored mixed effects model were used to analyze the data, taking into account missing time points.
* The study found that e-cigarette users had significantly higher levels of 3-hPMa, a biomarker of acrolein exposure, compared to non-smokers.
* No significant differences were found for SPMa, CEMa, and hMPMa between e-cigarette users and non-smokers.
* all biomarkers were significantly higher in cigarette smokers than in e-cigarette users or non-smokers.
* There were no significant effects of gender on the results, and there was no relationship of any of the biomarkers to age of the subjects.
* The study's findings suggest that e-cigarette use may result in increased exposure to acrolein, a probable carcinogen, and potentially to benzene and acrylonitrile.
Main Message:
The study's findings indicate that e-cigarette use is associated with increased exposure to the carcinogen acrolein, as well as potential exposure to benzene and acrylonitrile. This information is important for regulators to consider when evaluating the safety of e-cigarettes and for consumers to be aware of when making decisions about using these products. The study also highlights the importance of long-term longitudinal studies in evaluating the potential health effects of e-cigarette use.
Citation
Chen M, Carmella SG, Lindgren BR, et al. Increased Levels of the acrolein Metabolite 3-hydroxypropyl Mercapturic acid in the Urine of e-Cigarette Users. Chemical research in toxicology. 2023;36(4):583-588. doi:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.2c00145
