E-cigarettes generate high levels of aldehydes only in 'dry puff' conditions

Background and aims Aldehydes are emitted by electronic cigarettes due to thermal decomposition of liquid components. Although elevated levels have been reported with new‐generation high‐power devices, it is unclear whether they are relevant to true exposure of users (vapers) because overheating pro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Addiction (Abingdon, England) England), 2015-08, Vol.110 (8), p.1352-1356
Main Authors: Farsalinos, Konstantinos E., Voudris, Vassilis, Poulas, Konstantinos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetaldehyde
acetone
acrolein
Addiction
aerosol
Aerosols - chemistry
Aldehydes
Aldehydes - analysis
Analysis of Variance
Chemicals
Drug addiction
dry puff
Electronic cigarette
Electronic cigarettes
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
formaldehyde
Health care
Humans
Smoking
Vaping
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Summary:Background and aims Aldehydes are emitted by electronic cigarettes due to thermal decomposition of liquid components. Although elevated levels have been reported with new‐generation high‐power devices, it is unclear whether they are relevant to true exposure of users (vapers) because overheating produces an unpleasant taste, called a dry puff, which vapers learn to avoid. The aim was to evaluate aldehyde emissions at different power levels associated with normal and dry puff conditions. Design Two customizable atomizers were prepared so that one (A1) had a double wick, resulting in high liquid supply and lower chance of overheating at high power levels, while the other (A2) was a conventional setup (single wick). Experienced vapers took 4‐s puffs at 6.5 watts (W), 7.5 W, 9 W and 10 W power levels with both atomizers and were asked to report whether dry puffs were generated. The atomizers were then attached to a smoking machine and aerosol was trapped. Setting Clinic office and analytical chemistry laboratory in Greece. Participants Seven experienced vapers. Measurements Aldehyde levels were measured in the aerosol. Findings All vapers identified dry puff conditions at 9 W and 10 W with A2. A1 did not lead to dry puffs at any power level. Minimal amounts of aldehydes per 10 puffs were found at all power levels with A1 (up to 11.3 µg for formaldehyde, 4.5 µg for acetaldehyde and 1.0 µg for acrolein) and at 6.5 W and 7.5 W with A2 (up to 3.7 µg for formaldehyde, 0.8 µg for acetaldehyde and 1.3 µg for acrolein). The levels were increased by 30 to 250 times in dry puff conditions (up to 344.6 µg for formaldehyde, 206.3 µg for acetaldehyde and 210.4 µg for acrolein, P 
ISSN:0965-2140
1360-0443
DOI:10.1111/add.12942