Summary
Introduction:
This article reports on a study that analyzed toxic metals in aerosols generated by electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or vaping products (EVPs) associated with lung injury. The study aimed to validate and apply an expanded method suitable for both hydrophobic and hydrophilic aerosols.
Key Points:
* The study analyzed a subset of 50 case-related EVPs obtained during the CDC 2019 U.S. EVaLI response.
* The method limits of detection for the modiļ¬ed method ranged from 0.120 ng/10 puffs for Cd to 29.3 ng/10 puffs for al.
* Results of the analyses for metals in aerosols obtained from 50 EVP products are reported.
* Cannabinoid-based EVP aerosols were below reportable levels, except for one sample with 16.08 ng/10 puffs for Cu.
* Nicotine-based EVP results ranged from 6.72 ng/10 puffs for Pb to 203 ng/10 puffs for Sn.
* aerosols from only 5 of the 50 devices tested had detectable metal concentrations.
* Concentrations of toxic elements in the aerosols for nicotine-based EVP aerosol metal concentration ranges were consistent with previously published results of aerosol analyses from this class of devices.
Main Message:
The study found that aerosols from only a small fraction of the EVPs tested had detectable metal concentrations, and cannabinoid-based EVP aerosols were mostly below reportable levels. however, nicotine-based EVP aerosols had detectable levels of toxic metals, highlighting the potential health risks associated with their use. The study emphasizes the need for rigorous and validated analytical methods to measure harmful substances in EVP liquids and aerosols, especially as concurrent and/or dual use of both nicotine and cannabinoid EVP liquids is increasing.
Citation
Gonzalez-Jimenez N, Gray N, Pappas RS, et al. analysis of Toxic Metals in aerosols from Devices associated with Electronic Cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use associated Lung Injury. Toxics. 2021;9(10). doi:10.3390/toxics9100240
