Toxic Metals in Liquid and aerosol from Pod-Type Electronic Cigarettes.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of toxic metals in liquids from electronic cigarettes, also known as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The study focuses on the levels of chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium, tin, and lead in liquids from various brands and types of ENDS devices. The research aims to assess the impact of device design and materials on toxic metal concentrations in ENDS liquids.

Key Points:

* The study developed a method for quantifying toxic metals in ENDS liquids using triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
* Liquids from refill bottles, single-use, rechargeable, and pod devices from different brands and years were analyzed.
* Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy evaluated the device components’ compositions.
* Refill liquids before contacting a device were below lowest reportable levels (LRL) for all metals.
* Copper and zinc were elevated in liquids from devices containing brass.
* Cadmium was not observed in device components and was below LRL in all liquids.
* Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn, and Pb in g/g ranged from <LRL to 0.396, 4.04, 903, 454, 0.898, and 13.5, respectively.
* Elevated metal concentrations in the liquid were also elevated in aerosol from the corresponding device.

Main Message:
The study highlights the impact of device design and materials on toxic metal concentrations in ENDS liquids. The findings demonstrate that refill liquids before contacting a device are generally free from detectable levels of toxic metals. however, the study reveals that devices containing brass components, such as connectors, can lead to elevated levels of copper and zinc in the liquids and aerosols. The absence of cadmium in device components is reflected in below LRL cadmium concentrations for the liquid in all brands analyzed. The research emphasizes the need for continued monitoring and improvements in ENDS device designs to reduce exposure to toxic metals.

Gray N, halstead M, Valentin-Blasini L, Watson C, Pappas RS. Toxic Metals in Liquid and aerosol from Pod-Type Electronic Cigarettes. Journal of analytical toxicology. 2022;46(1):69-75. doi:10.1093/jat/bkaa185