Toxicity assessment of Refill Liquids for Electronic Cigarettes

Introduction:
This article reports the results of a study analyzing the chemical and biological constituents of 42 models of refill liquids for electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) purchased on the Internet. The study aimed to assess levels of micro-organisms, diethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, hydrocarbons, ethanol, aldehydes, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, and solvents in the liquids. The findings provide valuable insights into the potential health risks associated with the use of e-cigarettes.

Key Points:

* The study tested 42 models of refill liquids for e-cigarettes from 14 brands purchased online.
* all the liquids under scrutiny complied with norms for the absence of yeast, mold, aerobic microbes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
* Diethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and ethanol were detected in some products, but they remained within limits authorized for food and pharmaceutical products.
* Terpenic compounds and aldehydes, including formaldehyde and acrolein, were found in the products.
* No sample contained nitrosamines at levels above the limit of detection (1 μg/g).
* Residual solvents such as 1,3-butadiene, cyclohexane, and acetone, among others, were found in some products.
* although vapors of e-cigarettes seem to be less toxic than tobacco smoke, there is limited information about the content and toxicity of these vapors and the liquids used to produce them.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential health risks associated with the use of e-cigarettes, particularly in case of chronic oral exposure. although the oral acute toxicity of most e-liquids seems to be of minor concern, a minority of liquids, especially those with flavorings, showed particularly high ranges of chemicals, causing concerns about their potential toxicity. The findings emphasize the need for mandatory manufacturing standards for e-cigarettes and e-liquids to ensure their safety and quality. additionally, the lack of regulation in the e-cigarette industry makes it difficult to guarantee that e-liquids do not contain impurities or toxic components, posing potential health risks to users. Therefore, stricter regulations and quality control measures are necessary to ensure the safety and public health protection.

Varlet, Vincent, Konstantinos Farsalinos, Marc augsburger, aurélien Thomas, and Jean-François Etter. “Toxicity assessment of Refill Liquids for Electronic Cigarettes.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public health 12, no. 5 (april 30, 2015): 4796–4815. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120504796.