Carbonyl Emissions and Heating Temperatures across 75 Nominally Identical Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Products: Do Manufacturing Variations Drive Pulmonary Toxicant Exposure?

Chem Res Toxicol. 2023 Mar 20;36(3):342-346. doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.2c00391. Epub 2023 Feb 16.

Abstract

Studies of factors that impact electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDSs) carbonyl compound (CC) emissions have been hampered by wide within-condition variability. In this study, we examined whether this variability may be related to heating coil temperature variations stemming from manufacturing differences. We determined the mean peak temperature rise (ΔTmax) and CC emissions from 75 Subox ENDSs powered at 30 W. We found that ΔTmax and CC emissions varied widely, with greater ΔTmax resulting in exponentially higher CC emissions. Also, 12% of atomizers accounted for 85% of total formaldehyde emissions. These findings suggest that major reductions in toxicant exposure might be achieved through regulations focusing on limiting coil temperature.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems*
  • Hazardous Substances
  • Heating
  • Nebulizers and Vaporizers
  • Nicotine
  • Temperature
  • Tobacco Products*

Substances

  • Nicotine
  • Hazardous Substances