Cancer and Non-Cancer Risk Concerns from Metals in Electronic Cigarette Liquids and aerosols.

Introduction:
This article summarizes data on metal contents of e-cigarette liquids and aerosols and characterizes the range of exposures and health risks to users of these products. It also discusses the potential sources of metal contaminants in e-cigarettes and the regulatory framework for metal exposure limits.

Key Points:

* The article reviews eight studies that reported quantitative metal concentrations for e-cigarette aerosols or liquids from various e-cigarette devices.
* The studies found that e-cigarette liquids and aerosols contain various metals, including lead, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, arsenic, antimony, manganese, tin, nickel, zinc, copper, aluminum, iron, tungsten, and barium.
* The article estimates the increased cancer and non-cancer risk associated with each metal using cancer potency factors and non-cancer reference exposure concentrations (RfCs) from the U.S. Environmental Protection agency (USEPa) and reference exposure levels (RELs) from the California Environmental Protection agency (CalEPa).
* The article also discusses the potential sources of metal contaminants in e-cigarettes, such as the heating elements and tanks, and the need for improvements in product design, enforced product safety regulations, and manufacturing quality control.
* The article notes that the large range of metals within and across e-cigarette brands indicates the need for stricter regulations and quality control measures.
* The article also mentions the ongoing outbreak of acute lung injuries associated with vaping viscous oily liquids used in cannabis vaping products.

Main Message:
The article highlights the potential health risks of metal exposure from e-cigarette liquids and aerosols, especially at high concentrations. It emphasizes the need for stricter regulations and quality control measures to reduce metal exposure in e-cigarette users. The article also suggests that the device design and heating elements appear to be the main source of metals in e-aerosols. Overall, the article underscores the importance of monitoring and regulating e-cigarette products to protect public health.

Fowles J, Barreau T, Wu N. Cancer and Non-Cancer Risk Concerns from Metals in Electronic Cigarette Liquids and aerosols. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2020;17(6). doi:10.3390/ijerph17062146