Summary
Introduction:
In this summary, you will learn about a study examining the carcinogenic risk associated with the flavoring additive pulegone in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). The study uses a risk analysis approach to assess the potential health hazards of pulegone and provides recommendations for regulatory agencies.
Key Points:
* The study uses a risk analysis approach based on the no-observed adverse effect level (NOaEL) of 13.39 mg/kg of body weight/d, derived from carcinogenicity studies in rodents, to assess the potential health hazards of pulegone in e-cigarettes.
* The study calculates the margin of exposure (MOE) values for menthol- and peppermint-flavored e-cigarette liquids. The MOE values for menthol-flavored liquid range from 3641 to 8637, while the MOE values for peppermint-flavored liquids range from 5232 to 5526.
* The MOE values calculated in the study are much closer to the threshold than those presented in a previous study, suggesting that pulegone is of lesser risk than indicated.
* The study did not include the route-to-route (oral-to-inhalation) extrapolation factor that is generally assumed to further reduce safe exposure levels.
* The purpose of margin of exposure values is to support regulatory agencies in the prioritization of chemicals for risk mitigation.
* The study highlights the importance of using appropriate NOaEL values and risk assessment approaches in evaluating the potential health hazards of chemicals in e-cigarettes.
* The study also underscores the need for further investigation into the carcinogenicity of pulegone as an e-cigarette flavoring additive before being recommended as an alternative to tobacco products.
Main Message:
The main message of this study is that a rigorous risk analysis approach is necessary to evaluate the potential health hazards of chemicals in e-cigarettes. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of the carcinogenic risk associated with pulegone, highlighting the importance of using appropriate NOaEL values and risk assessment approaches. The findings suggest that pulegone is of lesser risk than previously indicated, but further investigation is needed. The study underscores the need for regulatory agencies to prioritize chemicals for risk mitigation and to ensure the safety of e-cigarette users.
Citation
Morgan J, Jones aL. Estimating Fluid Consumption Volumes in Electronic Cigarette Use. JaMa internal medicine. 2020;180(3):468. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.6633
