IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v12y2015i5p5215-5232d49628.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Are Metals Emitted from Electronic Cigarettes a Reason for Health Concern? A Risk-Assessment Analysis of Currently Available Literature

Author

Listed:
  • Konstantinos E. Farsalinos

    (Department of Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Sygrou 356, Kallithea 17674, Greece
    Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Rio 26500, Greece)

  • Vassilis Voudris

    (Department of Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Sygrou 356, Kallithea 17674, Greece)

  • Konstantinos Poulas

    (Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Rio 26500, Greece)

Abstract

Background: Studies have found that metals are emitted to the electronic cigarette (EC) aerosol. However, the potential health impact of exposure to such metals has not been adequately defined. The purpose of this study was to perform a risk assessment analysis, evaluating the exposure of electronic cigarette (EC) users to metal emissions based on findings from the published literature. Methods: Two studies were found in the literature, measuring metals emitted to the aerosol from 13 EC products. We estimated that users take on average 600 EC puffs per day, but we evaluated the daily exposure from 1200 puffs. Estimates of exposure were compared with the chronic Permissible Daily Exposure (PDE) from inhalational medications defined by the U.S. Pharmacopeia (cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and nickel), the Minimal Risk Level (MRL) defined by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (manganese) and the Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) defined by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (aluminum, barium, iron, tin, titanium, zinc and zirconium). Results: The average daily exposure from 13 EC products was 2.6 to 387 times lower than the safety cut-off point of PDEs, 325 times lower than the safety limit of MRL and 665 to 77,514 times lower than the safety cut-off point of RELs. Only one of the 13 products was found to result in exposure 10% higher than PDE for one metal (cadmium) at the extreme daily use of 1200 puffs. Significant differences in emissions between products were observed. Conclusions: Based on currently available data, overall exposure to metals from EC use is not expected to be of significant health concern for smokers switching to EC use, but is an unnecessary source of exposure for never-smokers. Metal analysis should be expanded to more products and exposure can be further reduced through improvements in product quality and appropriate choice of materials.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:5:p:5215-5232:d:49628
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/5/5215/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/12/5/5215/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Konstantinos E. Farsalinos & Giorgio Romagna & Dimitris Tsiapras & Stamatis Kyrzopoulos & Vassilis Voudris, 2014. "Characteristics, Perceived Side Effects and Benefits of Electronic Cigarette Use: A Worldwide Survey of More than 19,000 Consumers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, April.
    2. Konstantinos E. Farsalinos & Giorgio Romagna & Dimitris Tsiapras & Stamatis Kyrzopoulos & Vassilis Voudris, 2013. "Evaluation of Electronic Cigarette Use (Vaping) Topography and Estimation of Liquid Consumption: Implications for Research Protocol Standards Definition and for Public Health Authorities’ Regulation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-15, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Jianmin Liu & Qiwei Liang & Michael J. Oldham & Ali A. Rostami & Karl A. Wagner & I. Gene Gillman & Piyush Patel & Rebecca Savioz & Mohamadi Sarkar, 2017. "Determination of Selected Chemical Levels in Room Air and on Surfaces after the Use of Cartridge- and Tank-Based E-Vapor Products or Conventional Cigarettes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-21, August.
    2. Tae-Jun Ko & Shin Ae Kim, 2022. "Effect of Heating on Physicochemical Property of Aerosols during Vaping," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Shilpi Goenka & Sanford R. Simon, 2021. "Effects of E-Cigarette Refill Liquid Flavorings with and without Nicotine on Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells: A Preliminary Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-15, November.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Daniela Saitta & Azim Chowdhury & Giancarlo Antonio Ferro & Federico Giuseppe Nalis & Riccardo Polosa, 2017. "A Risk Assessment Matrix for Public Health Principles: The Case for E-Cigarettes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-21, March.
    2. Stefanie Scheffler & Hauke Dieken & Olaf Krischenowski & Christine Förster & Detlev Branscheid & Michaela Aufderheide, 2015. "Evaluation of E-Cigarette Liquid Vapor and Mainstream Cigarette Smoke after Direct Exposure of Primary Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-11, April.
    3. Elle Wadsworth & Joanne Neale & Ann McNeill & Sara C. Hitchman, 2016. "How and Why Do Smokers Start Using E-Cigarettes? Qualitative Study of Vapers in London, UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-13, June.
    4. Christian Giroud & Mariangela De Cesare & Aurélie Berthet & Vincent Varlet & Nicolas Concha-Lozano & Bernard Favrat, 2015. "E-Cigarettes: A Review of New Trends in Cannabis Use," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-21, August.
    5. Konstantinos E. Farsalinos & Giorgio Romagna & Elena Allifranchini & Emiliano Ripamonti & Elena Bocchietto & Stefano Todeschi & Dimitris Tsiapras & Stamatis Kyrzopoulos & Vassilis Voudris, 2013. "Comparison of the Cytotoxic Potential of Cigarette Smoke and Electronic Cigarette Vapour Extract on Cultured Myocardial Cells," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-17, October.
    6. Karolien Adriaens & Dinska Van Gucht & Paul Declerck & Frank Baeyens, 2014. "Effectiveness of the Electronic Cigarette: An Eight-Week Flemish Study with Six-Month Follow-up on Smoking Reduction, Craving and Experienced Benefits and Complaints," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-29, October.
    7. Melinda Pénzes & Márta Bakacs & Zoltán Brys & József Vitrai & Gergely Tóth & Zombor Berezvai & Róbert Urbán, 2021. "Vaping-Related Adverse Events and Perceived Health Improvements: A Cross-Sectional Survey among Daily E-Cigarette Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-15, August.
    8. Jorien Smets & Frank Baeyens & Martin Chaumont & Karolien Adriaens & Dinska Van Gucht, 2019. "When Less is More: Vaping Low-Nicotine vs. High-Nicotine E-Liquid is Compensated by Increased Wattage and Higher Liquid Consumption," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-18, February.
    9. Christine E. Kistler & Trisha M. Crutchfield & Erin L. Sutfin & Leah M. Ranney & Micah L. Berman & Gary A. Zarkin & Adam O. Goldstein, 2017. "Consumers’ Preferences for Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Product Features: A Structured Content Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-10, June.
    10. Kanae Bekki & Shigehisa Uchiyama & Kazushi Ohta & Yohei Inaba & Hideki Nakagome & Naoki Kunugita, 2014. "Carbonyl Compounds Generated from Electronic Cigarettes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-9, October.
    11. Zachary R. Dunbar & Gary Giovino & Binnian Wei & Richard J. O’Connor & Maciej L. Goniewicz & Mark J. Travers, 2020. "Use of Electronic Cigarettes in Smoke-Free Spaces by Smokers: Results from the 2014–2015 Population Assessment on Tobacco and Health Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-16, February.
    12. Shérazade Kinouani & Edwige Pereira & Christophe Tzourio, 2017. "Electronic Cigarette Use in Students and Its Relation with Tobacco-Smoking: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the i-Share Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-13, November.
    13. Konstantinos E. Farsalinos & I. Gene Gillman & Matt S. Melvin & Amelia R. Paolantonio & Wendy J. Gardow & Kathy E. Humphries & Sherri E. Brown & Konstantinos Poulas & Vassilis Voudris, 2015. "Nicotine Levels and Presence of Selected Tobacco-Derived Toxins in Tobacco Flavoured Electronic Cigarette Refill Liquids," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-14, March.
    14. Ratika Sharma & Britta Wigginton & Carla Meurk & Pauline Ford & Coral E. Gartner, 2016. "Motivations and Limitations Associated with Vaping among People with Mental Illness: A Qualitative Analysis of Reddit Discussions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    15. Riccardo Polosa & Jaymin B. Morjaria & Pasquale Caponnetto & Eliana Battaglia & Cristina Russo & Claudio Ciampi & George Adams & Cosimo M. Bruno, 2016. "Blood Pressure Control in Smokers with Arterial Hypertension Who Switched to Electronic Cigarettes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, November.
    16. Shannon Gravely & Geoffrey T. Fong & Edward Sutanto & Ruth Loewen & Janine Ouimet & Steve S. Xu & Anne C. K. Quah & Mary E. Thompson & Christian Boudreau & Grace Li & Maciej L. Goniewicz & Itsuro Yosh, 2020. "Perceptions of Harmfulness of Heated Tobacco Products Compared to Combustible Cigarettes among Adult Smokers in Japan: Findings from the 2018 ITC Japan Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-14, April.
    17. Vincent Varlet & Konstantinos Farsalinos & Marc Augsburger & Aurélien Thomas & Jean-François Etter, 2015. "Toxicity Assessment of Refill Liquids for Electronic Cigarettes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-20, April.
    18. Evan Floyd & Toluwanimi Oni & Changjie Cai & Bilal Rehman & Jooyeon Hwang & Tyler Watson, 2022. "Validation of a High Flow Rate Puff Topography System Designed for Measurement of Sub-Ohm, Third Generation Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-12, June.
    19. Riccardo Polosa & Pasquale Caponnetto & Fabio Cibella & Jacques Le-Houezec, 2015. "Quit and Smoking Reduction Rates in Vape Shop Consumers: A Prospective 12-Month Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-11, March.
    20. Dinska Van Gucht & Karolien Adriaens & Frank Baeyens, 2017. "Online Vape Shop Customers Who Use E-Cigarettes Report Abstinence from Smoking and Improved Quality of Life, But a Substantial Minority Still Have Vaping-Related Health Concerns," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-11, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:5:p:5215-5232:d:49628. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.