Brief Report: Lead Levels in Selected Electronic Cigarettes from Canada and the United States

Introduction:
This article reports on a study investigating the presence of lead in the e-liquid of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) available in the United States and Canada. The study uses a novel application of graphite furnace technology to compare the concentration of lead between e-liquids of different packaging and product designs.

Key Points:

* The study analyzed 11 nicotine-free disposable ENDS devices and 12 bottled re-fill solutions that contained nicotine.
* E-liquids extracted from the disposable products and individual containers were analyzed for lead content by graphite furnace using atomic absorption detection.
* The lead concentration of open-wick ENDS devices ranged from 25.2 ppb to 838.4 ppb, while none of the bottled e-liquids contained quantifiable levels of lead.
* Open-wick ENDS devices were significantly more likely to contain detectable levels of lead compared to cartridge systems or bottled e-liquids.
* Disposable ENDS devices contained significantly higher levels of lead on average compared to bottled e-liquids.
* all of the products with lead levels above the limit of quantitation originated from Canadian tobacco manufacturers, and none of the e-liquids that contained nicotine had quantifiable levels of lead.

Main Message:
The study found that quantifiable levels of lead are present in certain disposable e-cigarette devices, and there is evidence from this study that the design of ENDS devices may contribute to lead exposure. These findings suggest that lead testing should be incorporated into future chemical analyses of ENDS devices. The study also highlights the need for more uniform labeling regulations on ENDS devices and the need for better product labeling to ensure consumer safety.

Dunbar, Zachary, ananth Das, Richard O’Connor, Maciej Goniewicz, Binnian Wei, and Mark Travers. “Brief Report: Lead Levels in Selected Electronic Cigarettes from Canada and the United States.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public health 15, no. 1 (January 19, 2018): 154. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15010154.