Summary
Introduction:
This article reports a study on the effect of variable power levels on the yield of total aerosol mass and formation of aldehydes in e-cigarette aerosols. The study evaluated five different e-cigarette devices at four power levels and analyzed aerosol samples for the production of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein. The results were used to estimate daily exposure to these aldehydes from e-cigarette aerosols and compared to estimated exposure from cigarette smoking and occupational limits.
Key Points:
* Five different e-cigarette devices were tested at four power levels.
* aerosol yield results were reported as mass/puff and normalized for the power applied to the coil.
* aerosol samples were analyzed for the production of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein as DNPh derivatives.
* The mass of aldehydes produced per gram of total aerosol produced was also calculated.
* Daily exposure to aldehydes from e-cigarette aerosols was estimated and compared to cigarette smoking and occupational limits.
* The study found that the range of aerosol produced on a per puff basis ranged from 1.5 to 28 mg.
* The study also found that the amount of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein produced per gram of total aerosol produced ranged from 0.01 to 7.3 mg/g, 0.006 to 5.8 mg/g, and <0.003 to 0.78 mg/g, respectively.
Main Message:
The study found that the yield of aerosol mass and formation of aldehydes in e-cigarette aerosols depend on the power level applied to the device. The amount of aldehydes produced per gram of total aerosol produced varied widely among the devices tested. The estimated daily exposure to aldehydes from e-cigarette aerosols was found to be lower than that from cigarette smoking but could exceed occupational limits. The study suggests that further research is needed to better understand the potential health risks associated with e-cigarette use and the factors that influence aerosol yield and aldehyde formation.
Citation
Gillman, I.G., K.a. Kistler, E.W. Stewart, and a.R. Paolantonio. “Effect of Variable Power Levels on the Yield of Total aerosol Mass and Formation of aldehydes in E-Cigarette aerosols.” Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 75 (March 2016): 58–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2015.12.019.
