Summary
Introduction:
This text provides an in-depth analysis of the composition and potential health impacts of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) refill fluids. The study identifies and quantifies flavor chemicals in 39 commercial refill fluids, evaluates their cytotoxicity, and examines the transfer efficiency of these flavor chemicals from refill fluids to aerosols. The research highlights the importance of understanding the composition of e-cigarette refill fluids and the potential health risks associated with their use.
Key Points:
* The study identified and quantified 52 flavor chemicals in a combined library of 45 e-cigarette refill fluids.
* Thirteen chemicals were found at concentrations ≥ 1 mg/ml in at least one product.
* Eight of these 12 dominant flavor chemicals were classified as harmful, three were classified as irritants, and one was not classified according to oral rat toxicity data.
* The frequency of occurrence of the 12 dominant chemicals varied, with six chemicals present in less than 35% of the refill fluids and six chemicals present in more than 35% of the refill fluids.
* The transfer efficiency of flavor chemicals from refill fluids to aerosols was high (average transfer efficiency of 110% ± 8% for 3V aerosolization and 86% ± 4% for 5V aerosolization).
* Three new chemicals were found in aerosols made at 5V, including hydroxyacetone, acetoin, and 2,3-butanedione (diacetyl).
* hydroxyacetone, which was present in all 5V aerosols, was not cytotoxic to hPF or a549 cells in the MTT assay.
* The 80% propylene glycol blank was cytotoxic to both cell types at 5V, and the dominant flavor chemicals were more cytotoxic than the propylene glycol blank.
Main Message:
This study highlights the importance of understanding the composition of e-cigarette refill fluids and the potential health risks associated with their use. The research found that many commercial e-cigarette refill fluids contain high concentrations of flavor chemicals, which can transfer efficiently to aerosols and potentially pose health risks to users. additionally, the study found that heating the flavor chemicals at high voltages can lead to the formation of potentially harmful reaction products. Therefore, it is crucial to regulate the concentration of all or specific flavor chemicals in e-cigarette refill fluids to protect public health.
Citation
Behar, Rachel Z, Yuhuan Wang, and Prue Talbot. “Comparing the Cytotoxicity of Electronic Cigarette Fluids, aerosols and Solvents.” Tobacco Control 27, no. 3 (May 2018): 325–33. https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2016-053472.
