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Bengalli R, Ferri E, Labra M, Mantecca P. Lung Toxicity of Condensed Aerosol from E-CIG Liquids: Influence of the Flavor and the In Vitro Model Used. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017; 14:E1254. [PMID: 29053606 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14101254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The diffusion of e-cigarette (e-CIG) opens a great scientific and regulatory debate about its safety. The huge number of commercialized devices, e-liquids with almost infinite chemical formulations and the growing market demand for a rapid and efficient toxicity screen system that is able to test all of these references and related aerosols. A consensus on the best protocols for the e-CIG safety assessment is still far to be achieved, since the huge number of variables characterizing these products (e.g., flavoring type and concentration, nicotine concentration, type of the device, including the battery and the atomizer). This suggests that more experimental evidences are needed to support the regulatory frameworks. The present study aims to contribute in this field by testing the effects of condensed aerosols (CAs) from three main e-liquid categories (tobacco, mint, and cinnamon as food-related flavor), with (18 mg/mL) or without nicotine. Two in vitro models, represented by a monoculture of human epithelial alveolar cells and a three-dimensional (3D) co-culture of alveolar and lung microvascular endothelial cells were used. Cell viability, pro-inflammatory cytokines release and alveolar-blood barrier (ABB) integrity were investigated as inhalation toxicity endpoints. Results showed that nicotine itself had almost no influence on the modulation of the toxicity response, while flavor composition did have. The cell viability was significantly decreased in monoculture and ABB after exposure to the mints and cinnamon CAs. The barrier integrity was significantly affected in the ABB after exposure to cytotoxic CAs. With the exception of the significant IL-8 release in the monoculture after Cinnamon exposure, no increase of inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and MCP-1) release was observed. These findings point out that multiple assays with different in vitro models are able to discriminate the acute inhalation toxicity of CAs from liquids with different flavors, providing the companies and regulatory bodies with useful tools for the preliminary screening of marketable products.
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Vardavas CI, Girvalaki C, Filippidis FT, Oder M, Kastanje R, de Vries I, Scholtens L, Annas A, Plackova S, Turk R, Gruzdyte L, Rato F, Genser D, Schiel H, Balázs A, Donohoe E, Vardavas AI, Tzatzarakis MN, Tsatsakis AM, Behrakis PK. Characteristics and outcomes of e-cigarette exposure incidents reported to 10 European Poison Centers: a retrospective data analysis. Tob Induc Dis 2017; 15:36. [PMID: 28824358 PMCID: PMC5559815 DOI: 10.1186/s12971-017-0141-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The use of e-cigarettes has increased during the past few years. Exposure to e-cigarette liquids, whether intentional or accidental, may lead to adverse events our aim was to assess factors associated with e-cigarette exposures across European Union Member States (EU MS). Methods A retrospective analysis of exposures associated with e-cigarettes reported to national poison centers was performed covering incidents from 2012 to March 2015 from 10 EU MS. De-identified and anonymous raw data was acquired. Results In total, 277 incidents were reported. Unintentional exposure was the most frequently cited type of exposure (71.3%), while e-cigarette refill vials were responsible for the majority of the reported incidents (87.3%). Two-thirds of all exposures (67.5%) occurred as ingestion of e-liquids, which was more frequent among children (≤ 5 years, 6–18 years) compared to adults (87.0% vs. 59.3% vs. 57.6%, p < 0.001 respectively), exposure via the respiratory (5.4% vs. 22.2% vs. 22.2%, p < 0.001) were more frequent among paediatric patients while ocular routes (2.2% vs. 3.7% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.021) were more frequent among adults. Logistic regression analyses indicated that paediatric incidents (≤ 5 years) were more likely to be through ingestion (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 4.36, 95% Confidence Interval [C.I.]: 1.87–10.18), but less likely to have a reported clinical effect (aOR = 0.41, 95% C.I.: 0.21–0.82). Conclusions Our study highlighted parameters related to e-cigarette exposure incidents in 10 EU MS, the results of which indicate that consideration should be given to the design features which may mitigate risks, thereby protecting users, non-users and especially children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantine I Vardavas
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAAA), Athens, Greece.,Institute of Public Health, American College of Greece, Athens, Greece
| | - Charis Girvalaki
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAAA), Athens, Greece
| | - Filippos T Filippidis
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mare Oder
- Poisoning Information Center, Estonian Health Board, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Ruth Kastanje
- Poisoning Information Center, Estonian Health Board, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Irma de Vries
- Dutch Poisons Information Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrech, The Netherlands
| | - Lies Scholtens
- Dutch Poisons Information Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrech, The Netherlands
| | - Anita Annas
- Swedish Poisons Information Center, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Silvia Plackova
- National Toxicological Information Center, University Hospital Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Rajka Turk
- Institute for Medical Research an Occupational Health, Poison Control Center, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Laima Gruzdyte
- Poison Information Bureau, Health emergency situations center of the Ministry of health, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Fátima Rato
- National Institute Of Medical Emergency, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | | | - Andrea Balázs
- National Public Health Center, National Directorate of Chemical Safety, Health Toxicological Information Service, Budapestᅟ, Hungary
| | - Elaine Donohoe
- National Poisons Information Center, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alexander I Vardavas
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, 71409 Heraklion, Crete Greece
| | - Manolis N Tzatzarakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, 71409 Heraklion, Crete Greece
| | - Aristidis M Tsatsakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Medical School, University of Crete, Voutes, 71409 Heraklion, Crete Greece
| | - Panagiotis K Behrakis
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAAA), Athens, Greece.,Institute of Public Health, American College of Greece, Athens, Greece
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Clapp PW, Pawlak EA, Lackey JT, Keating JE, Reeber SL, Glish GL, Jaspers I. Flavored e-cigarette liquids and cinnamaldehyde impair respiratory innate immune cell function. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2017; 313:L278-L292. [PMID: 28495856 PMCID: PMC5582929 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00452.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate immune cells of the respiratory tract are the first line of defense against pathogenic and environmental insults. Failure of these cells to perform their immune functions leaves the host susceptible to infection and may contribute to impaired resolution of inflammation. While combustible tobacco cigarettes have been shown to suppress respiratory immune cell function, the effects of flavored electronic cigarette liquids (e-liquids) and individual flavoring agents on respiratory immune cell responses are unknown. We investigated the effects of seven flavored nicotine-free e-liquids on primary human alveolar macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer (NK) cells. Cells were challenged with a range of e-liquid dilutions and assayed for their functional responses to pathogenic stimuli. End points included phagocytic capacity (neutrophils and macrophages), neutrophil extracellular trap formation, proinflammatory cytokine production, and cell-mediated cytotoxic response (NK cells). E-liquids were then analyzed via mass spectrometry to identify individual flavoring components. Three cinnamaldehyde-containing e-liquids exhibited dose-dependent broadly immunosuppressive effects. Quantitative mass spectrometry was used to determine concentrations of cinnamaldehyde in each of the three e-liquids, and cells were subsequently challenged with a range of cinnamaldehyde concentrations. Cinnamaldehyde alone recapitulated the impaired function observed with e-liquid exposures, and cinnamaldehyde-induced suppression of macrophage phagocytosis was reversed by addition of the small-molecule reducing agent 1,4-dithiothreitol. We conclude that cinnamaldehyde has the potential to impair respiratory immune cell function, illustrating an immediate need for further toxicological evaluation of chemical flavoring agents to inform regulation governing their use in e-liquid formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip W Clapp
- Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and
| | - Erica A Pawlak
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and
| | - Justin T Lackey
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - James E Keating
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Steven L Reeber
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Gary L Glish
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Ilona Jaspers
- Curriculum in Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina;
- Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and
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54
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Kim JJ, Sabatelli N, Tutak W, Giuseppetti A, Frukhtbeyn S, Shaffer I, Wilhide J, Routkevitch D, Ondov JM. Universal electronic-cigarette test: physiochemical characterization of reference e-liquid. Tob Induc Dis 2017; 15:14. [PMID: 28239329 PMCID: PMC5314484 DOI: 10.1186/s12971-017-0119-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the rising health and safety concerns of e-cigarettes, a universal e-cigarette testing method is still in its early developmental stage. The aim of this study was to develop an e-liquid Reference Material that can be used to improve accuracy and reproducibility of research results, and advance health risk assessment of e-cigarette products. METHODS E-liquid Reference Material was developed by purity assessment, gravimetric measurement, homogeneity testing, and stability testing with material and instrument traceability (adopted from ISO 35:2006E). RESULTS Homogeneity tests showed e-liquid Reference Material requires ≥ 1 h rotation at a speed of 5 rpm to reach complete homogeneity. Stability tests showed homogeneity is intact for at least 2 weeks without secondary separation, and e-liquids are stable in 21 °C-50 °C thermocycling conditions up to 72 h. A change in the e-liquid color was first observed at day seven, and progressed to 2- and 16 - fold increase in absorbance by one and 6 months respectively. We found that e-liquids do not have inherent material instabilities such as immiscibility or secondary separation. However, discrepancies in concentration and composition arose mainly due to viscosity of propylene glycol and glycerin. Aerosol generated from the e-liquid Reference Material had 16 chemical-byproducts and was composed of ~634,000 particles of which 38% were Fine Particulate Matters (<0.5 μm in diameter). CONCLUSIONS The efforts described here to create a standardized e-liquid Reference Material aim to provide unbiased and robust testing parameters that may be useful for researchers, the industry and government agencies. Additionally, the reference e-liquid could open a channel of conversation among different laboratories by providing the means of independent verification and validation while establishing a system of transparency and reproducibility in materials and methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey J. Kim
- Clinical Research, Volpe Research Center, ADA Foundation, 100 Bureau Drive Stop 8546 NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899 USA
| | - Nicole Sabatelli
- School of Engineering, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD USA
| | - Wojtek Tutak
- Clinical Research, Volpe Research Center, ADA Foundation, 100 Bureau Drive Stop 8546 NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899 USA
- Present address: Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD USA
| | - Anthony Giuseppetti
- Clinical Research, Volpe Research Center, ADA Foundation, 100 Bureau Drive Stop 8546 NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899 USA
| | - Stanislav Frukhtbeyn
- Clinical Research, Volpe Research Center, ADA Foundation, 100 Bureau Drive Stop 8546 NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899 USA
| | - Ian Shaffer
- Molecular Characterization and Analysis Complex, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Joshua Wilhide
- Molecular Characterization and Analysis Complex, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Denis Routkevitch
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - John M. Ondov
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD USA
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Varlet V. Drug Vaping: From the Dangers of Misuse to New Therapeutic Devices. Toxics 2016; 4:toxics4040029. [PMID: 29051432 PMCID: PMC5606648 DOI: 10.3390/toxics4040029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 12/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Users of e-cigarettes are unwitting volunteers participating in a worldwide epidemiological study. Because of the obvious benefits of e-cigarettes compared with traditional cigarette smoking, these electronic devices have been introduced all around the world to support tobacco smoking cessation. Same potential harm reduction could be considered by cannabis vaping for marijuana smokers. However, the toxicities of liquids and aerosols remain under investigation because although the use of e-cigarettes is likely to be less harmful than traditional cigarette smoking, trace levels of contaminants have been identified. Simultaneously, other electronic devices, such as e-vaporisers, e-hookahs or e-pipes, have been developed and commercialised. Consequently, misuse of electronic devices has increased, and experimentation has been documented on Internet web fora. Although legal and illegal drugs are currently consumed with these e-devices, no scientific papers are available to support the observations reported by numerous media and web fora. Moreover, building on illegal drug vaping and vaporisation with e-devices (vaping misuse), legal drug vaping (an alternative use of vaping) could present therapeutic benefits, as occurs with medical cannabis vaporisation with table vaporisers. This review seeks to synthesise the problems of e-cigarette and liquid refill toxicity in order to introduce the dangers of illegal and legal drugs consumed using vaping and vaporisation for recreational purposes, and finally, to present the potential therapeutic benefits of vaping as a new administration route for legal drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Varlet
- Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry Unit, University Centre of Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva, Lausanne CH-1011, Switzerland.
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56
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Crenshaw MD, Tefft ME, Buehler SS, Brinkman MC, Clark PI, Gordon SM. Determination of nicotine, glycerol, propylene glycol and water in electronic cigarette fluids using quantitative 1 H NMR. Magn Reson Chem 2016; 54:901-904. [PMID: 27495876 PMCID: PMC5069187 DOI: 10.1002/mrc.4498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The variability of the electronic cigarette liquids (e-liquid) composition has the potential to influence not only the amount of nicotine delivered to the user, but also the type and amount of generated byproducts and subsequent health risks. For this reason, it is important to characterize all of the chemical components of e-liquids. We report the development and application of a single 1H NMR analysis method to identify and quantify the most abundant chemical components (nicotine, glycerol, 1,2-propylene glycol, and water) likely to be present as their influence on the composition of inhaled vapor is not know. For 1H NMR, the solvent has to dissolve the e-liquids at a concentration sufficient to readily determine the concentration of nicotine present, and the solvent and internal standard cannot possess exchangeable protons which would interfere with determining the concentrations of the analytes of interest. To fulfill these requirements, perdeuterated N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF-d7) was selected as the solvent, with 1,2,4,5-tetrachloro-3-nitrobenzene as the internal standard. Nicotine concentrations from 58 different e-liquids obtained using 1H NMR were found to agree with the results from GC-MS analysis. Generally, the amount of nicotine present was close to that claimed by the manufacturer. In some cases, the proportions of 1,2-propylene glycol, glycerol, and water varied significantly between flavors within a brand and within flavors depending on the nicotine content. In one case, 1,2-propylene glycol was identified where the manufacturer had stated none should be present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Crenshaw
- Battelle Public Health Center for Tobacco Research, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA.
| | - Margaret E Tefft
- Battelle Public Health Center for Tobacco Research, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA
| | - Stephanie S Buehler
- Battelle Public Health Center for Tobacco Research, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA
| | - Marielle C Brinkman
- Battelle Public Health Center for Tobacco Research, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA
| | - Pamela I Clark
- University of Maryland, School of Public Health, 2242 Valley Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Sydney M Gordon
- Battelle Public Health Center for Tobacco Research, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43201, USA
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57
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Li Q, Zhan Y, Wang L, Leischow SJ, Zeng DD. Analysis of symptoms and their potential associations with e-liquids' components: a social media study. BMC Public Health 2016; 16:674. [PMID: 27475060 PMCID: PMC4967297 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3326-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) market has grown rapidly in recent years. However, causes of e-cigarette related symptoms among users and their impact on health remain uncertain. This research aims to mine the potential relationships between symptoms and e-liquid components, such as propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), flavor extracts, and nicotine, using user-generated data collected from Reddit. Methods A total of 3605 e-liquid related posts from January 1st, 2011 to June 30th, 2015 were collected from Reddit. Then the patterns of VG/PG distribution among different flavors were analyzed. Next, the relationship between throat hit, which was a typical symptom of e-cigarette use, and e-liquid components was studied. Finally, other symptoms were examined based on e-liquid components and user sentiment. Results We discovered 3 main sets of findings: 1) We identified three groups of flavors in terms of VG/PG ratios. Fruits, cream, and nuts flavors were similar. Sweet, menthol, and seasonings flavors were classified into one group. Tobacco and beverages flavors were the third group. 2) Throat hit was analyzed and we found that menthol and tobacco flavors, as well as high ratios of PG and nicotine level, could produce more throat hit. 3) A total of 9 systems of 25 symptoms were identified and analyzed. Components including VG/PG ratio, flavor, and nicotine could be possible reasons for these symptoms. Conclusions E-liquid components shown to be associated with e-cigarette use symptomology were VG/PG ratios, flavors, and nicotine levels. Future analysis could be conducted based on the structure of e-liquid components categories built in this study. Information revealed in this study could be utilized by e-cigarette users to understand the relationship between e-liquid type and symptoms experienced, by vendors to choose appropriate recipes of e-liquid, and by policy makers to develop new regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiudan Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Management and Control for Complex Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Yongcheng Zhan
- Department of Management Information Systems, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Management and Control for Complex Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | | | - Daniel Dajun Zeng
- The State Key Laboratory of Management and Control for Complex Systems, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China. .,Department of Management Information Systems, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
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Wang L, Zhan Y, Li Q, Zeng DD, Leischow SJ, Okamoto J. An Examination of Electronic Cigarette Content on Social Media: Analysis of E-Cigarette Flavor Content on Reddit. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2015; 12:14916-35. [PMID: 26610541 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph121114916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the emerging electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) marketplace has shown great development prospects all over the world. Reddit, one of the most popular forums in the world, has a very large user group and thus great influence. This study aims to gain a systematic understanding of e-cigarette flavors based on data collected from Reddit. Flavor popularity, mixing, characteristics, trends, and brands are analyzed. Fruit flavors were mentioned the most (n = 15,720) among all the posts and were among the most popular flavors (n = 2902) used in mixed blends. Strawberry and vanilla flavors were the most popular for e-juice mixing. The number of posts discussing e-cigarette flavors has increased sharply since 2014. Mt. Baker Vapor and Hangen were the most popular brands discussed among users. Information posted on Reddit about e-cigarette flavors reflected consumers' interest in a variety of flavors. Our findings suggest that Reddit could be used for data mining and analysis of e-cigarette-related content. Understanding how e-cigarette consumers' view and utilize flavors within their vaping experience and how producers and marketers use social media to promote flavors and sell products could provide valuable information for regulatory decision-makers.
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Pagano T, Bida MR, Robinson RJ. Laboratory Activity for the Determination of Nicotine in Electronic Cigarette Liquids using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. J Lab Chem Educ 2015; 3:37-43. [PMID: 26478904 PMCID: PMC4608496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
In recent years the prevalence and popularity of electronic cigarettes (ECs) has increased noticeably and a large market for their refillable nicotine solutions (e-liquids) has also rapidly increased. These e-liquids contain nicotine, an addictive and potentially dangerous stimulant, but often the actual nicotine content differs significantly from manufacturers' labelling, due in part to lack of regulation for these products. A laboratory activity for undergraduate students was developed to directly test e-liquids for nicotine content using gas chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as a means for teaching the instrumentation to undergraduate students using an authentic, real-world example. The activity introduces and/or re-emphasizes the theory and operation of GC-MS, standard/sample preparation, calibration curves, internal standards, selected ion monitoring mode of MS operation, and method validation. The laboratory experiment is designed for students enrolled in Quantitative Analysis courses (like Analytical Chemistry or Instrumental Analysis), but portions are also suitable for lower level chemistry courses or even those designed for allied health professionals or non-chemistry majors. Given the current popularity of ECs, this activity can provide the chemistry curriculum with a timely, real-world, and contemporary application in which crucial course content is taught. Students can also benefit from the inherent discussion of ECs, regulations, and related social aspects of smoking and EC vaping - which can serve as a secondary learning outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd Pagano
- Department of Science & Mathematics, Laboratory Science Technology Program, National Technical Institute for the Deaf/Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
| | - Morgan R. Bida
- Department of Science & Mathematics, Laboratory Science Technology Program, National Technical Institute for the Deaf/Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
| | - Risa J. Robinson
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
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60
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive D Bates
- Counterfactual Consulting Limited, 4 Pentney Road, London, SW120NX, UK
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61
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Misra M, Leverette RD, Cooper BT, Bennett MB, Brown SE. Comparative in vitro toxicity profile of electronic and tobacco cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and nicotine replacement therapy products: e-liquids, extracts and collected aerosols. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2014; 11:11325-47. [PMID: 25361047 PMCID: PMC4245615 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph111111325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) continues to increase worldwide in parallel with accumulating information on their potential toxicity and safety. In this study, an in vitro battery of established assays was used to examine the cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, genotoxicity and inflammatory responses of certain commercial e-cigs and compared to tobacco burning cigarettes, smokeless tobacco (SLT) products and a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) product. The toxicity evaluation was performed on e-liquids and pad-collected aerosols of e-cigs, pad-collected smoke condensates of tobacco cigarettes and extracts of SLT and NRT products. In all assays, exposures with e-cig liquids and collected aerosols, at the doses tested, showed no significant activity when compared to tobacco burning cigarettes. Results for the e-cigs, with and without nicotine in two evaluated flavor variants, were very similar in all assays, indicating that the presence of nicotine and flavors, at the levels tested, did not induce any cytotoxic, genotoxic or inflammatory effects. The present findings indicate that neither the e-cig liquids and collected aerosols, nor the extracts of the SLT and NRT products produce any meaningful toxic effects in four widely-applied in vitro test systems, in which the conventional cigarette smoke preparations, at comparable exposures, are markedly cytotoxic and genotoxic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Misra
- Lorillard Tobacco Company, A.W. Spears Research Center, 420 North English Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27405, USA.
| | - Robert D Leverette
- Lorillard Tobacco Company, A.W. Spears Research Center, 420 North English Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27405, USA.
| | - Bethany T Cooper
- Lorillard Tobacco Company, A.W. Spears Research Center, 420 North English Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27405, USA.
| | - Melanee B Bennett
- Lorillard Tobacco Company, A.W. Spears Research Center, 420 North English Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27405, USA.
| | - Steven E Brown
- Lorillard Tobacco Company, A.W. Spears Research Center, 420 North English Street, Greensboro, North Carolina 27405, USA.
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Farsalinos KE, Polosa R. Safety evaluation and risk assessment of electronic cigarettes as tobacco cigarette substitutes: a systematic review. Ther Adv Drug Saf 2014; 5:67-86. [PMID: 25083263 DOI: 10.1177/2042098614524430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 421] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes are a recent development in tobacco harm reduction. They are marketed as less harmful alternatives to smoking. Awareness and use of these devices has grown exponentially in recent years, with millions of people currently using them. This systematic review appraises existing laboratory and clinical research on the potential risks from electronic cigarette use, compared with the well-established devastating effects of smoking tobacco cigarettes. Currently available evidence indicates that electronic cigarettes are by far a less harmful alternative to smoking and significant health benefits are expected in smokers who switch from tobacco to electronic cigarettes. Research will help make electronic cigarettes more effective as smoking substitutes and will better define and further reduce residual risks from use to as low as possible, by establishing appropriate quality control and standards.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Riccardo Polosa
- Centro per la Prevenzione e Cura del Tabagismo (CPCT) and Institute of Internal Medicine, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy
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