analysis of Toxic Metals in Electronic Cigarette aerosols Using a Novel Trap Design.

Introduction:
This text is a scientific study on the analysis of toxic metals in electronic cigarette aerosols using a novel trap design. The study compares the metal concentrations in aerosols generated from various electronic cigarette devices with those found in mainstream cigarette smoke. The study also aims to validate a high metals purity, fluoropolymer trap that can be used for accurate determination of metal deliveries in electronic cigarette aerosols.

Key Points:

* The study used a standard machine puffing regimen (CORESTa Recommended Method 81) to generate and collect aerosols from select electronic cigarette devices.
* a high metals purity, fluoropolymer trap was developed and validated for the study, which exhibits negligible acid extractable metal backgrounds.
* Metal concentrations in aerosols generated under a fixed puffing regimen (50 puffs/collection) were found to range from below the detection limits (LOD) to 614 ng copper and 339 ng zinc per 10 puffs.
* Cadmium concentrations were below LOD for all devices tested.
* Device specific aerosol levels of Sn and Pb ranged from below LOD to low nanogram levels.
* Cr and Ni were transported in aerosols at levels equivalent to, or slightly higher than in mainstream cigarette smoke using a standard smoking regimen.
* The generally lower levels of specific metals, Cd and Pb, transmitted in ENDS aerosols compared to mainstream cigarette smoke reflect possible reduction of harm for smokers who substitute the use of ENDS as cessation devices in place of smoking cigarettes.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of developing and validating robust methodologies for laboratory testing and appropriate aerosol generation and trapping media required for accurate determinations of electronic cigarette aerosol metals deliveries. The study also suggests that the use of electronic cigarettes as cessation devices may result in reduced exposure to certain toxic metals compared to traditional cigarette smoke, which may contribute to a reduction in harm for smokers. however, further research is needed to confirm these findings and to better understand the potential health impacts of electronic cigarette use.

halstead M, Gray N, Gonzalez-Jimenez N, et al. analysis of Toxic Metals in Electronic Cigarette aerosols Using a Novel Trap Design. Journal of analytical toxicology. 2020;44(2):149-155. doi:10.1093/jat/bkz078