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Transfer of Metals to the Aerosol Generated by an Electronic Cigarette: Influence of Number of Puffs and Power

Author

Listed:
  • Brian Rastian

    (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA)

  • Chase Wilbur

    (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA)

  • Daniel B. Curtis

    (Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, CA 92831, USA)

Abstract

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are increasing in popularity despite uncertainties about their health hazards. Literature studies have shown that e-cigarettes may be a source of toxic heavy metal exposure to the user, but the mechanism by which metals are transferred from the e-cigarette parts into the aerosol plume that is inhaled by the user is poorly understood. The goal of this study was to quantify the potentially harmful heavy metals chromium, nickel, copper, and lead systematically during the simulated use of a mod-type e-cigarette in order to better understand the mechanism of metal transfer from the e-cigarette parts into the aerosol plume and into the liquid in the storage tank. Aerosol was collected and aliquots of the remaining liquid in the storage tank were collected from 0 to 40 puffs in 10 puff increments and analyzed with atomic absorption spectroscopy. It was found that the concentration of metals increased in both the aerosol and tank liquid the more times the e-cigarette was puffed, but at varying rates for each element and depending on the power applied to the heating coil. For copper, lead, and nickel, the concentrations of metals in the aerosol and tank increased with increasing power but for chromium, the concentration varied with power. Additionally, it was observed that chromium and nickel concentrations were greater in the aerosol than in tank liquid, consistent with the direct transfer of those metals to the aerosol from heating of the nichrome coil element used in this study. For copper and lead, the concentrations were similar or greater in the tank compared to the aerosol, consistent with transfer first into the storage tank liquid, followed by vaporization into the aerosol.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian Rastian & Chase Wilbur & Daniel B. Curtis, 2022. "Transfer of Metals to the Aerosol Generated by an Electronic Cigarette: Influence of Number of Puffs and Power," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9334-:d:876225
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Naudia Gray & Mary Halstead & Nathalie Gonzalez-Jimenez & Liza Valentin-Blasini & Clifford Watson & R. Steven Pappas, 2019. "Analysis of Toxic Metals in Liquid from Electronic Cigarettes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-10, November.
    2. Adam Prokopowicz & Andrzej Sobczak & Jerzy Szdzuj & Katarzyna Grygoyć & Leon Kośmider, 2020. "Metal Concentration Assessment in the Urine of Cigarette Smokers Who Switched to Electronic Cigarettes: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-12, March.
    3. Konstantinos E. Farsalinos & Vassilis Voudris & Konstantinos Poulas, 2015. "Are Metals Emitted from Electronic Cigarettes a Reason for Health Concern? A Risk-Assessment Analysis of Currently Available Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Qutaiba M. Saleh & Edward C. Hensel & Nathan C. Eddingsaas & Risa J. Robinson, 2021. "Effects of Manufacturing Variation in Electronic Cigarette Coil Resistance and Initial Pod Mass on Coil Lifetime and Aerosol Generation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-11, April.
    5. Zachary R. Dunbar & Ananth Das & Richard J. O’Connor & Maciej L. Goniewicz & Binnian Wei & Mark J. Travers, 2018. "Brief Report: Lead Levels in Selected Electronic Cigarettes from Canada and the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-8, January.
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