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LoginG. Romagna MD1,L.Zabarini1,L.Barbiero1, E. Bocchietto1,S.Todeschi1,E. Caravati1,D.Voster1, K. Farsalinos MD2
September 1, 2012
1 ABICH S.r.l., biological and chemical toxicology research laboratory, Verbania, Italy
2 Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
3 Abstract was accepted and presented as poster at the SRNT meeting 2012 in Helsinki.
AbstractBackground Electronic cigarettes (e-CIG) have been marketed as a safer alternative habit to tobacco smoking. We have developed a group of research protocols to evaluate the effects of e-CIG on human health, called ClearStream. No studies have adequately evaluated the effects of e-CIG use on the release of chemicals to the environment. The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify the chemicals released on a closed environment from the use of e-CIG (ClearStream-AIR).
MethodsA 60 m3 closed-room was used for the experiment. Two sessions were organized, the first using 5 smokers and the second using 5 users of e-CIG. Both sessions lasted 5h. Between sessions, the room was cleaned and ventilated for 65 h. Smokers used cigarettes containing 0.6 mg of nicotine while e-CIG users used commercially available liquid (FlavourArt) with nicotine concentration of 11 mg/ml. We measured total organic carbon (TOC), toluene, xylene, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), nicotine, acrolein, poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) glycerin and propylene glycol levels on the air of the room.
ResultsDuring the smoking session, 19 cigarettes were smoked, administering 11.4 mg of nicotine (according to cigarette pack information). During the e-CIG session, 1.6 ml of liquid was consumed, administering 17.6 mg of nicotine. During the smoking session we found: TOC= 6.66 mg/m3, toluene=1.7μg/m3, xylene=0.2 μg/m3, CO=11 mg/m3, nicotine=34 μg/m3, acrolein=20 μg/ml and PAH=9.4 μg/m3
. Noglycerin, propylene glycol and NOx were detected after the smoking session. During the e-CIG session we found: TOC= 0.73 mg/m3
and glycerin=72 μg/m3. No toluene, xylene, CO, NOx, nicotine, acroleinor PAHs were detected on room air during the e-CIG session.
ConclusionsPassive vaping is expected from the use of e-CIG. However, the quality and quantity of chemicals released to the environment are by far less harmful for the human health compared to regular tobacco cigarettes. Evaporation instead of burning, absence of several harmful chemicals from the liquids and absence of sidestream smoking from the use of the e-CIG are probable reasons for the difference in results.
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