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Cancer and Non-Cancer Risk Concerns from Metals in Electronic Cigarette Liquids and Aerosols

Author

Listed:
  • Jefferson Fowles

    (Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA)

  • Tracy Barreau

    (Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA)

  • Nerissa Wu

    (Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, CA 94804, USA)

Abstract

We evaluated metal concentrations in e-liquids and e-aerosols from eight studies and estimated the range of corresponding cancer and non-cancer risks. Chromium and nickel were the leading contributors to cancer risk, with minor contributions from cadmium, lead, and arsenic. The increased cancer risks, assuming exposure to 2 mL/day, ranged from 5.7 to 30,000 additional cancers in a million e-cigarette users. The average cancer risk was 3 in 1000. Cancer risks in the mid to upper end of these ranges exceed acceptable levels. The hazard quotient (HQ) approach was used to evaluate non-cancer risks. Hazard quotients exceeding 1.0 indicate the possibility for non-cancer adverse health effects. Estimated exposures at the maximum reported concentrations of nickel, chromium, and manganese resulted in HQ values of 161, 1.1, and 1.0, respectively, with additional contributions from lead. The average concentration of nickel resulted in an HQ value of 14. We conclude from these studies that exposure to metals in e-cigarette liquids and aerosols may pose a significant cancer and non-cancer health risk at the mid and upper end of the reported ranges. The device design and heating elements appear to be the main source of metals in e-aerosols. The large range of metals within and across e-cigarette brands indicate the need for improvements in product design, enforced product safety regulations and manufacturing quality control. Implementation of such measures could reduce metal exposure in e-cigarette users.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:6:p:2146-:d:336181
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jun Ho Cho & Samuel Y Paik, 2016. "Association between Electronic Cigarette Use and Asthma among High School Students in South Korea," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(3), pages 1-13, March.
    2. 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.
    3. Stefanie Scheffler & Hauke Dieken & Olaf Krischenowski & Michaela Aufderheide, 2015. "Cytotoxic Evaluation of e-Liquid Aerosol using Different Lung-Derived Cell Models," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-9, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hsien-Chang Lin & Anne Buu & Wei-Chung Su, 2022. "Disposable E-Cigarettes and Associated Health Risks: An Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Mabuza, Mzwandile & Annandale, John & Steyn, Martin & Tanner, Phil & Du Plessis, Meiring, 2024. "Response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) to foliar wetting with low pH mine waters containing acid-generating metal cations," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).

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