Secondhand Exposure to Vapors From Electronic Cigarettes

• Published in: Nicotine & tobacco research 2014-06, Vol.16 (6), p.655-662
• Main Authors: Czogala, Jan, Goniewicz, Maciej L., Fidelus, Bartlomiej, Zielinska-Danch, Wioleta, Travers, Mark J., Sobczak, Andrzej
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aerosols - analysis; Air Pollutants - analysis; Carbon Monoxide - analysis; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Environmental Exposure - analysis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nicotine - analysis; Original Investigation; Particulate Matter - analysis; Smoking; Tobacco Smoke Pollution; Volatile Organic Compounds - analysis
• ISSN: 1462-2203; 1469-994X
• DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntt203

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are designed to generate inhalable nicotine aerosol (vapor). When an e-cigarette user takes a puff, the nicotine solution is heated and the vapor is taken into lungs. Although no sidestream vapor is generated between puffs, some of the mainstream vapor is exhaled by e-cigarette user. The aim of this study was to evaluate the secondhand exposure to nicotine and other tobacco-related toxicants from e-cigarettes. Materials and Methods: We measured selected airborne markers of secondhand exposure: nicotine, aerosol particles (PM2.5), carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in an exposure chamber. We generated e-cigarette vapor from 3 various brands of e-cigarette using a smoking machine and controlled exposure conditions. We also compared secondhand exposure with e-cigarette vapor and tobacco smoke generated by 5 dual users. Results: The study showed that e-cigarettes are a source of secondhand exposure to nicotine but not to combustion toxicants. The air concentrations of nicotine emitted by various brands of e-cigarettes ranged from 0.82 to 6.23 µg/m3. The average concentration of nicotine resulting from smoking tobacco cigarettes was 10 times higher than from e-cigarettes (31.60±6.91 vs. 3.32±2.49 µg/m3, respectively; p = .0081). Conclusions: Using an e-cigarette in indoor environments may involuntarily expose nonusers to nicotine but not to toxic tobacco-specific combustion products. More research is needed to evaluate health consequences of secondhand exposure to nicotine, especially among vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and people with cardiovascular conditions.