Use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) impairs indoor air quality and increases FeNO levels of e-cigarette consumers

• Published in: International journal of hygiene and environmental health Vol. 217; no. 6; pp. 628 - 637
• Main Authors: Schober, Wolfgang, Szendrei, Katalin, Matzen, Wolfgang, Osiander-Fuchs, Helga, Heitmann, Dieter, Schettgen, Thomas, Jörres, Rudolf A., Fromme, Hermann
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: München Elsevier GmbH 01.07.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis; Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding; Biological and medical sciences; e-Cigarette; Electronic cigarette; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems - adverse effects; Environment. Living conditions; FeNO; Health effects; Humans; Indoor air quality; Lung - metabolism; Male; Medical sciences; Metals - analysis; Miscellaneous; Nicotine; Nicotine - administration & dosage; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Particle Size; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Secondhand smoking; Smoking; Tobacco Products; Tobacco, tobacco smoking; Toxicology; Vaping; Volatile organic compounds; Volatile Organic Compounds - analysis; Young Adult; LOD; FeNO; 3-OH-cotinine; DNPH; PNC; MS; VOC; eCO; Volatile organic compounds; Vaping; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; 3-HPMA; PAH; e-cigarette; Health effects; Secondhand smoking; GC; PM; HPLC; Electronic cigarette; Indoor air quality; Nicotine; Tobacco smoking; e-Cigarette; Alkaloid; Health and environment; Consumer; Public health; Hydrocarbon; Use; Exhaled nitric oxide; Air quality; Increase; Volatile organic compound; Polycyclic aromatic compound; Carcinogen; Tobacco; Addiction; Indoor pollution; Environmental medicine; Air pollution
• ISSN: 1438-4639; 1618-131X; 1618-131X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.11.003

Despite the recent popularity of e-cigarettes, to date only limited data is available on their safety for both users and secondhand smokers. The present study reports a comprehensive inner and outer exposure assessment of e-cigarette emissions in terms of particulate matter (PM), particle number concentrations (PNC), volatile organic compounds (VOC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), carbonyls, and metals. In six vaping sessions nine volunteers consumed e-cigarettes with and without nicotine in a thoroughly ventilated room for two hours. We analyzed the levels of e-cigarette pollutants in indoor air and monitored effects on FeNO release and urinary metabolite profile of the subjects. For comparison, the components of the e-cigarette solutions (liquids) were additionally analyzed. During the vaping sessions substantial amounts of 1,2-propanediol, glycerine and nicotine were found in the gas-phase, as well as high concentrations of PM2.5 (mean 197μg/m3). The concentration of putative carcinogenic PAH in indoor air increased by 20% to 147ng/m3, and aluminum showed a 2.4-fold increase. PNC ranged from 48,620 to 88,386 particles/cm3 (median), with peaks at diameters 24–36nm. FeNO increased in 7 of 9 individuals. The nicotine content of the liquids varied and was 1.2-fold higher than claimed by the manufacturer. Our data confirm that e-cigarettes are not emission-free and their pollutants could be of health concern for users and secondhand smokers. In particular, ultrafine particles formed from supersaturated 1,2-propanediol vapor can be deposited in the lung, and aerosolized nicotine seems capable of increasing the release of the inflammatory signaling molecule NO upon inhalation. In view of consumer safety, e-cigarettes and nicotine liquids should be officially regulated and labeled with appropriate warnings of potential health effects, particularly of toxicity risk in children.