a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for quantifying squalane and squalene in aerosol emissions of electronic cigarette, or vaping, products.

Introduction:
This text describes a study that aimed to develop and validate a method for quantifying squalane and squalene in aerosol emissions of electronic cigarette, or vaping, products. The study also applied this method to measure squalene and squalane in aerosol emissions of 153 electronic cigarette products associated with a recent outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVaLI).

Key Points:

* The study developed and validated a quantitative method to measure squalene and squalane in electronic cigarette aerosol emissions.
* The method was used to measure squalene and squalane in aerosol emissions of 153 electronic cigarette products associated with EVaLI.
* In case-associated tetrahydrocannabinol products, the detection rates and mean concentrations of squalene and squalane were 82.4% and 33.0 ng/mL puffed air, and 4.41% and 7.80 ng/mL puffed air, respectively.
* Squalene and squalane were present in a significant number of electronic cigarette products associated with EVaLI.
* The study used a GC-MS method for the quantitation of Sqa and SqE in EVP aerosols.
* The method was validated for accuracy, precision, repeatability, robustness, and stability.
* The method was applied to analyze aerosol emissions from EVPs associated with the 2019 U.S. EVaLI outbreak.

Main Message:
The study found that squalene and squalane were present in a significant number of electronic cigarette products associated with EVaLI. The study developed and validated a reliable method for quantifying squalene and squalane in electronic cigarette aerosol emissions, which can be used for regulatory purposes to ensure the safety of these products. The findings highlight the importance of screening electronic cigarette products for harmful chemicals, as their use continues to increase.

Cowan Ea, Tran h, Gray N, et al. a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for quantifying squalane and squalene in aerosol emissions of electronic cigarette, or vaping, products. Talanta. 2022;238:122985. doi:10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122985