title: Use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) impairs indoor air quality and increases FeNO levels of e-cigarette consumers.
abstract: 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 197 μg/m(3)). The concentration of putative carcinogenic PAH in indoor air increased by 20% to 147 ng/m(3), and aluminum showed a 2.4-fold increase. PNC ranged from 48,620 to 88,386 particles/cm(3) (median), with peaks at diameters 24-36 nm. 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.
authors.affiliation: Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Department of Chemical Safety and Toxicology, Pfarrstrasse 3, 80538 Munich, Germany. Electronic address: wolfgang.schober@lgl.bayern.de.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schober
authors.affiliation: Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Department of Chemical Safety and Toxicology, Pfarrstrasse 3, 80538 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Katalin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szendrei
authors.affiliation: Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Department of Chemical Safety and Toxicology, Pfarrstrasse 3, 80538 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Matzen
authors.affiliation: Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Department of Cosmetics and Tobacco Products, Veterinärstrasse 2, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Helga
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Osiander-Fuchs
authors.affiliation: Bavarian Environment Agency, Bürgermeister-Ulrich-Strasse 160, 86179 Augsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heitmann
authors.affiliation: Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schettgen
authors.affiliation: Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Inner City Clinic, University Hospital of Munich, Ziemssenstrasse 1, 80336 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Rudolf A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Jörres
authors.affiliation: Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Department of Chemical Safety and Toxicology, Pfarrstrasse 3, 80538 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fromme
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D010316:Particle Size; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D012907:Smoking; D062789:Tobacco Products; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D008670:Metals; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009538:Nicotine
keywords: Electronic cigarette; FeNO; Health effects; Indoor air quality; Nicotine; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Secondhand smoking; Vaping; Volatile organic compounds; e-Cigarette