Respiratory irritants in e-cigarette refill liquids across nine European countries: a threat to respiratory health?

Introduction:
This text is a research letter presenting a study on the presence of potential respiratory irritants in e-cigarette refill liquids across nine European Union member states. The study aimed to identify and quantify these irritants and their implications for respiratory health. The study's findings highlight the importance of monitoring e-cigarette additives to ensure the protection of European consumers' health.

Key Points:

* The study identified and purchased 122 randomly selected samples of e-cigarette refill liquids from the most popular brands in nine European Union member states.
* The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) methods.
* The analysis revealed the presence of 246 different flavors and additives, with menthol being the most common (41.0%).
* all of the refill liquid samples contained additives classified as dangerous or hazardous based on the Globally harmonised Classification System (GhS) classification.
* The substances detected, such as methyl cyclopentanolone and a-ionone, can cause allergy, asthma, or breathing difficulties if inhaled.
* The study's findings raise concerns about the potential hazards of e-cigarette use and the need for monitoring e-cigarette additives.
* The study highlights the need to ensure that e-cigarette liquid ingredients do not pose a risk to human health in heated or unheated form, as required by the European Tobacco Products Directive (TPD).

Main Message:
The study's findings suggest that e-cigarette refill liquids may contain potentially hazardous substances, despite regulatory efforts to ensure their safety. The study underscores the importance of monitoring e-cigarette additives and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The TPD mandates that ingredients used in nicotine-containing liquid should not pose a risk to human health in heated or unheated form. however, the study's findings suggest that further action is necessary to ensure the protection of European consumers' health. Therefore, regulatory authorities must take urgent measures to monitor e-cigarette additives and ensure compliance with regulatory standards to safeguard public health.

Vardavas, Constantine, Charis Girvalaki, alexander Vardavas, Sophia Papadakis, Manolis Tzatzarakis, Panagiotis Behrakis, and aristidis Tsatsakis. “Respiratory Irritants in E-Cigarette Refill Liquids across Nine European Countries: a Threat to Respiratory health?” European Respiratory Journal 50, no. 6 (December 2017): 1701698. https://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.01698-2017.