| Summary: | Introduction
Identification of chemicals present in e-liquids and aerosols is a vital
first step in assessing the human health effects of e-cigarettes. We aim to identify
the qualitative and quantitative constituents present in e-cigarette liquids and
aerosols.
Methods
A comprehensive search of scientific databases included literature up to
July 2020. A total of 28 articles met inclusion criteria; 18 articles assessed e-liquid
constituents and 15 articles assessed aerosol constituents. Of these, 5 assessed
constituents present in both mediums. We included English-language publications
that examine qualitative and/or quantitative constituents in e-cigarette liquids
and aerosols.
Results
In total, articles identified 60 compounds in e-liquids and 47 compounds in
aerosols. A total of 22 compounds were identified in both e-liquids and aerosols.
These are: acenaphthylene, acetaldehyde, acetol, antimony, benzaldehyde,
benzene, chromium, copper, diacetyl, formaldehyde, glycerol, lead, limonene,
naphthalene, nickel, nicotine, nicotine-N'-oxides, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), N-Nitrosonornicotine (NNN), propylene glycol,
toluene, and vegetable glycerin. Some of the identified chemicals have been
labeled as harmful, toxic, or cancerous through human, animal, and cell line
studies. A variety of laboratory methods were used for analyses, which made
reported levels less consistent.
Conclusions
E-liquids and aerosols contain a variety of chemicals with potential
health effects from inhaling them. Further, secondhand health effects are
unknown because of limited understanding of the dose of exposure by nonusers.
Identification of constituents in e-cigarettes is the first step to determine
their risks to humans and support evidence-based regulations and health policies.
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