A controlled clinical study was conducted to determine potential constituents in the atmosphere where e-vapor products and cigarettes were used. Levels of nicotine, propylene glycol (PG), glycerol, 15 carbonyl compounds (including formaldehyde), 12 volatile organic compounds, and 4 trace metals were measured using ISO or EPA methods. Exhaled breath, room air and surface samples were investigated. The products used were MarkTen® 2.5% Classic (M10), a Prototype GreenSmoke® 2.4% (GS), Ego-T Tank with subjects’ own e-liquids (Tank) and subjects’ own conventional cigarettes (CIG). Exhaled breath samples (EBS) were collected at baseline (sham use) and with test products from 37 subjects (23 males and 14 females). Room air measurements were made in a controlled exposure chamber (EC). Products (M10 and GS) were used under controlled conditions (10 puffs/person, once/30 minutes for 4 hours) and ad lib use (all four products). Baseline measurements (without product use) were made in the EC for a 4-hour period, and background measurements were conducted without people in the EC. Room air levels of nicotine, PG and glycerol, under both controlled and ad lib use, were several-fold below the current published limits for workplace exposure to airborne contaminants. Room air formaldehyde levels from M10, GS and Tank systems were similar to the background and baseline. Most of the other constituents measured were below the limit of quantification during M10, GS and Tank use. Significant levels of most constituents were observed during CIG use. Under the study conditions, for the e-vapor products tested, the few chemical constituents exhaled are several-fold below the permissible limits. The results from surface sample measurements suggest that third-hand exposure to nicotine is unlikely.
Authors and affiliations:
SARKAR M.(1); LIU J.(1); LIANG Q.(1); PENG X.(1); OLDHAM M.(1); ROSTAMI A.A.(1); WAGNER K.A.(1); GILLMAN I.G.(2); SALAPATEK A.M.(3)
(1) Altria Client Services Inc., Richmond, VA USA; (2) Enthalpy Analytical Inc., Durham, NC USA; (3) Inflamax Research Inc., Toronto, Canada
Citation:
TSRC, Tob. Sci. Res. Conf., 2015, 69, abstr. 37