Evaluation of the Tobacco heating System 2.2. Part 4: 90-day OECD 413 rat inhalation study with systems toxicology endpoints demonstrates reduced exposure effects compared with cigarette smoke
Introduction:
This article compares the performance of 12 brands of cartomizer style electronic cigarettes (EC) using different puffing protocols and measuring the concentrations of nicotine in each product. The study aimed to evaluate the consistency and quality control of these products in the market.
Key Points:
* The study used two puffing protocols: the first 10 puffs and a modified smoke-out protocol.
* air flow rate, pressure drop, and aerosol absorbance were measured in both protocols.
* The air flow rate required to produce aerosol ranged between brands from 4 -21 mL/s.
* Pressure drop ranged between brands from 14 -71 mmh2O and was much lower than earlier classic models.
* absorbance, a measure of aerosol density, was relatively consistent between puffs but varied between brands.
* Most brands lasted at least 300 puffs in smoke-out trials, and performed similarly within brands regarding pressure drop and absorbance.
* Five brands had inconsistent performance when products were purchased at different times.
* The labeled and measured nicotine concentrations were within 10% of each other in only 1 out of 10 brands.
Main Message:
The study highlights the inconsistency and lack of quality control in the EC market, particularly in cartomizer style products. While there was some uniformity in performance within some brands, there was a large variation between brands. Moreover, the labeled and measured nicotine concentrations had considerable discrepancies, indicating a need for better regulation and standardization in the EC industry.
Citation
Wong, Ee Tsin, Ulrike Kogel, Emilija Veljkovic, Florian Martin, Yang Xiang, Stephanie Boue, Gregory Vuillaume, et al. “Evaluation of the Tobacco heating System 2.2. Part 4: 90-Day OECD 413 Rat Inhalation Study with Systems Toxicology Endpoints Demonstrates Reduced Exposure Effects Compared with Cigarette Smoke.” Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 81 (November 2016): S59–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.10.015.
Wong, Ee Tsin, Ulrike Kogel, Emilija Veljkovic, Florian Martin, Yang Xiang, Stephanie Boue, Gregory Vuillaume, et al. “Evaluation of the Tobacco heating System 2.2. Part 4: 90-Day OECD 413 Rat Inhalation Study with Systems Toxicology Endpoints Demonstrates Reduced Exposure Effects Compared with Cigarette Smoke.” Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 81 (November 2016): S59–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.10.015.
