Summary
Introduction:
This text discusses a study that analyzed electronic cigarette (e-cig) liquids and aerosols using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-hRMS) to characterize their chemical composition. The study aimed to identify unknown compounds and compound classes of potential health concern in e-cig samples.
Key Points:
* The study analyzed e-cig liquids and aerosols from four popular tobacco-flavored e-cig products using LC-hRMS.
* The use of a novel aerosol-condensing device enabled the analysis of both aerosols and e-liquids in the liquid phase, facilitating the investigation of chemical transformations due to vaping.
* The number of compounds detected increased from e-liquids to aerosols in three of the four commercial products.
* Kendrick mass defect analysis suggested that some of the additional compounds detected in aerosols belonged to homologous series resulting from decomposition of high-molecular-weight compounds during vaping.
* Lipid-like compounds were observed in aerosols as well as e-liquids analyzed.
* Six potentially hazardous additives and contaminants, including the industrial chemical tributylphosphine oxide and the stimulant caffeine, were identified and quantified in the e-cig liquids and aerosols analyzed.
Main Message:
The study highlights the potential of nontarget LC-hRMS to identify previously unknown compounds and compound classes in e-cig liquids and aerosols, which is critical for the assessment of chemical exposures resulting from vaping. The findings demonstrate the need for further research to understand the health implications of these unknown compounds and compound classes in e-cig products.
Citation
Tehrani MW, Newmeyer MN, Rule aM, Prasse C. Characterizing the Chemical Landscape in Commercial E-Cigarette Liquids and aerosols by Liquid Chromatography-high-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. Chemical research in toxicology. 2021;34(10):2216-2226. doi:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00253
