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The Health Risks of Electronic Cigarette Use to Bystanders

Author

Listed:
  • Wouter F. Visser

    (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Health Protection, Anthonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands)

  • Walther N. Klerx

    (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Health Protection, Anthonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands)

  • Hans W. J. M. Cremers

    (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Health Protection, Anthonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands)

  • Ramon Ramlal

    (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Health Protection, Anthonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands)

  • Paul L. Schwillens

    (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Health Protection, Anthonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands)

  • Reinskje Talhout

    (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Centre for Health Protection, Anthonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands)

Abstract

This works aimed to assess the health risks of e-cigarette use to bystanders. The exhaled breath of 17 volunteers was collected while they were vaping, and the levels of nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerol, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), and heavy metals were analyzed. Increased levels of nicotine, propylene glycol, TSNAs and copper were found in the exhaled breath of the volunteers. From these measurements, bystander exposure was estimated for two different scenarios: (1) A non-ventilated car with two e-cigarette users and (2) a ventilated office with one e-cigarette user. Our results show that bystanders may experience irritation of the respiratory tract as a result of exposure to propylene glycol and glycerol. Systemic effects of nicotine should also be expected if nicotine-containing e-liquid is used, including palpitations, and an increase of the systolic blood pressure. Furthermore, due to the presence of TSNAs in some e-liquids, an increased risk of tumors could not be excluded for the ‘car’ scenario. While e-cigarette use can clearly have effects on the health of bystanders, the risks depend on the rate of ventilation, dimensions of the room, and vaping behavior of the e-cigarette user. The presence of TSNAs in e-liquids can be avoided, which will prevent the most serious effect identified (increased risk of tumors).

Suggested Citation

  • Wouter F. Visser & Walther N. Klerx & Hans W. J. M. Cremers & Ramon Ramlal & Paul L. Schwillens & Reinskje Talhout, 2019. "The Health Risks of Electronic Cigarette Use to Bystanders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:9:p:1525-:d:227104
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Grant O'Connell & Stéphane Colard & Xavier Cahours & John D. Pritchard, 2015. "An Assessment of Indoor Air Quality before, during and after Unrestricted Use of E-Cigarettes in a Small Room," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-19, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Małgorzata Znyk & Joanna Jurewicz & Dorota Kaleta, 2021. "Exposure to Heated Tobacco Products and Adverse Health Effects, a Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Emily C. Tanner & John F. Tanner & Franklin Velasco Vizcaino & Zhiyong Yang, 2022. "Vaping and dynamic risk construction: Toward a model of adolescent risk‐related schema development," Journal of Consumer Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 56(3), pages 1244-1259, September.
    3. Kim A.G.J. Romijnders & Jeroen L.A. Pennings & Liesbeth van Osch & Hein de Vries & Reinskje Talhout, 2019. "A Combination of Factors Related to Smoking Behavior, Attractive Product Characteristics, and Socio-Cognitive Factors are Important to Distinguish a Dual User from an Exclusive E-Cigarette User," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-12, October.
    4. Jefferson Fowles & Tracy Barreau & Nerissa Wu, 2020. "Cancer and Non-Cancer Risk Concerns from Metals in Electronic Cigarette Liquids and Aerosols," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-10, March.

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