Dataset Information

Elements including metals in the atomizer and aerosol of disposable electronic cigarettes and electronic hookahs.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Our purpose was to quantify 36 inorganic chemical elements in aerosols from disposable electronic cigarettes (ECs) and electronic hookahs (EHs), examine the effect of puffing topography on elements in aerosols, and identify the source of the elements.

Methods

Thirty-six inorganic chemical elements and their concentrations in EC/EH aerosols were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and their source was identified by analyzing disassembled atomizers using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.

Results

Of 36 elements screened, 35 were detected in EC/EH aerosols, while only 15 were detected in conventional tobacco smoke. Some elements/metals were present in significantly higher concentrations in EC/EH aerosol than in cigarette smoke. Concentrations of particular elements/metals within EC/EH brands were sometimes variable. Aerosols generated at low and high air-flow rates produced the same pattern of elements, although the total element concentration decreased at the higher air flow rate. The relative amount of elements in the first and last 60 puffs was generally different. Silicon was the dominant element in aerosols from all EC/EH brands and in cigarette smoke. The elements appeared to come from the filament (nickel, chromium), thick wire (copper coated with silver), brass clamp (copper, zinc), solder joints (tin, lead), and wick and sheath (silicon, oxygen, calcium, magnesium, aluminum). Lead was identified in the solder and aerosol of two brands of EHs (up to 0.165 ?g/10 puffs).

Conclusion

These data show that EC/EH aerosols contain a mixture of elements, including heavy metals, with concentrations often significantly higher than in conventional cigarette smoke. While the health effects of inhaling mixtures of heated metals is currently not known, these data will be valuable in future risk assessments involving EC/EH elements/metals.

SUBMITTER: Williams M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5393578 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Elements including metals in the atomizer and aerosol of disposable electronic cigarettes and electronic hookahs.

Williams Monique M Bozhilov Krassimir K Ghai Sanjay S Talbot Prue P

PloS one 20170417 4

<h4>Objective</h4>Our purpose was to quantify 36 inorganic chemical elements in aerosols from disposable electronic cigarettes (ECs) and electronic hookahs (EHs), examine the effect of puffing topography on elements in aerosols, and identify the source of the elements.<h4>Methods</h4>Thirty-six inorganic chemical elements and their concentrations in EC/EH aerosols were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, and their source was identified by analyzing disassem ...[more]

PMID: 28414730

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Project description:Aerosols from electronic cigarettes and heat-not-burn tobacco products have been found to contain lower levels of almost all compounds from the list of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents known to be present in tobacco products and tobacco smoke than smoke from conventional cigarettes. Free radicals, which also pose potential health risks, are not considered in this list, and their levels in the different product types have not yet been compared under standardized conditions. We compared the type and quantity of free radicals in mainstream aerosol of 3R4F research cigarettes, two types of electronic cigarettes, and a heat-not-burn tobacco product. Free radicals and NO in the gas phases were separately spin trapped and quantified by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy by using a smoking machine for aerosol generation and a flow-through cell to enhance reproducibility of the quantification. Particulate matter was separated by a Cambridge filter and extracted, and persistent radicals were quantified by EPR spectroscopy. Levels of organic radicals for electronic cigarettes and the heat-not-burn product, as measured with the PBN spin trap, did not exceed 1% of the level observed for conventional cigarettes and were close to the radical level observed in air blanks. The radicals found in the smoke of conventional cigarettes were oxygen centered, most probably alkoxy radicals, whereas a signal for carbon-centered radicals near the detection limit was observed in aerosol from the heat-not-burn product and electronic cigarettes. The NO level in aerosol produced by electronic cigarettes was below our detection limit, whereas for the heat-not-burn product, it reached about 7% of the level observed for whole smoke from 3R4F cigarettes. Persistent radicals in particulate matter could be quantified only for 3R4F cigarettes. Aerosols from vaping and heat-not-burn tobacco products have much lower free radical levels than cigarette smoke, however, the toxicological implications of this finding are as yet unknown.

Project description:IntroductionElectronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is increasing worldwide and is highest among both daily and nondaily smokers. E-cigarettes are perceived as a healthier alternative to combustible tobacco products, but their health risk factors have not yet been established, and one of them is lack of data on aerosol size generated by e-cigarettes.MethodsWe applied a real-time, high-resolution aerosol differential mobility spectrometer to monitor the evolution of aerosol size and concentration during puff development. Particles generated by e-cigarettes were immediately delivered for analysis with minimal dilution and therefore with minimal sample distortion, which is critically important given the highly dynamic aerosol/vapor mixture inherent to e-cigarette emissions.ResultsE-cigarette aerosols normally exhibit a bimodal particle size distribution: nanoparticles (11-25nm count median diameter) and submicron particles (96-175nm count median diameter). Each mode has comparable number concentrations (10(7)-10(8) particles/cm(3)). "Dry puff" tests conducted with no e-cigarette liquid (e-liquid) present in the e-cigarette tank demonstrated that under these conditions only nanoparticles were generated. Analysis of the bulk aerosol collected on the filter showed that e-cigarette emissions contained a variety of metals.ConclusionsE-cigarette aerosol size distribution is different from that of combustible tobacco smoke. E-cigarettes generate high concentrations of nanoparticles and their chemical content requires further investigation. Despite the small mass of nanoparticles, their toxicological impact could be significant. Toxic chemicals that are attached to the small nanoparticles may have greater adverse health effects than when attached to larger submicron particles.ImplicationsThe e-cigarette aerosol size distribution is different from that of combustible tobacco smoke and typically exhibits a bimodal behavior with comparable number concentrations of nanoparticles and submicron particles. While vaping the e-cigarette, along with submicron particles the user is also inhaling nano-aerosol that consists of nanoparticles with attached chemicals that has not been fully investigated. The presence of high concentrations of nanoparticles requires nanotoxicological consideration in order to assess the potential health impact of e-cigarettes. The toxicological impact of inhaled nanoparticles could be significant, though not necessarily similar to the biomarkers typical of combustible tobacco smoke.

Dataset Information

Elements including metals in the atomizer and aerosol of disposable electronic cigarettes and electronic hookahs.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Elements including metals in the atomizer and aerosol of disposable electronic cigarettes and electronic hookahs.

Similar Datasets

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