Kuehl_SOT_Blu e.cig_0467 - Lovelace Respiratory Research

Characterization of the Blu E-Cigarette
to Define the Composition of Inhaled Material
T.
1
Holmes ,
J. D.
1Lovelace
Abstract
1
McDonald ,
and D.
1
Kracko
Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM,
Method (Continued)
In order to better define human exposure and to design
experiments for toxicology systems (in vitro and in vivo), an
aerosol characterization of the blu® e-cigarette was
conducted. E-cigs were characterized for aerosol mass,
particle size, gas particle partitioning, excipient, nicotine
and formaldehyde content. We applied a modified Canadian
Intensive protocol and developed a novel characterization
system. The blu® e-cig heating processes resulted in
generation of an aerosol mixture of particle excipients,
nicotine present in both the gas and droplet phase, and
small but detectable amounts of formaldehyde. There were
over 1 million particles/cm3 of ~110 nm in size measured
from a puff. E-cigarettes may have a decreased risk to
users compared with conventional inhaled tobacco
products. The aerosols were composed of excipient
particles with lesser amounts of nicotine and also other
gases such as formaldehyde. This contrasts marketing for
the device, which suggests that people only inhale nicotine
vapor and water. The health consequence of these inhaled
materials is uncertain based on available evidence, but the
information provided here will assist in future risk
assessments and the design of toxicology studies.
P. J.
1
Kuehl
Abstract # 1202
Poster # 302
Results
Particle Size Characterization
· NCI puffing protocol used to collect emissions into aerosol chamber (below)
· Aerosol holding chamber fitted to appropriate particle sizing instrument
- FMPS, APS, mercer style cascade impactor
- Impactor extracted and assayed for nicotine, propylene glycol and glycerin
- Report Mass median (NMAD) and number median aerodynamic diameters
(MMAD)
Results (Continued)
Blu E.Cig Strength
Formaldehyde (µg)
Nicotine (µg)
Total Mass (mg)
Instrument
NMAD (GSD)
MMAD
8 mg
16 mg
0.17 (0.21)
1.83 (1.18)
18.6 (7.65)
37.1 (13.3)
1.1 (0.5)
1.5 (0.5)
APS
FMPS
0.85 µm (1.28)
110.9 nm (1.3)
1.07 µm (1.49)
137.4 nm (1.27)
Chemical Composition
Two different strengths of blu e. cig were tested. Both products showed
quantifiable amounts of formaldehyde. The nicotine scaled approximately
with labeled strength. Total mass was similar for both products.
Flow Control
Pressure Gage
Aerosol Chamber
Product
Chemical
MMAD
(µm)
8 mg
8 mg
8 mg
8 mg
16 mg
16 mg
16 mg
16 mg
Total Mass
Nicotine
Propylene Glycol
Glycerin
Total Mass
Nicotine
Propylene Glycol
Glycerin
0.81
0.74
0.87
0.75
0.85
0.94
1.43
0.82
GSD
1.49
1.60
1.29
1.55
1.60
1.66
1.43
1.68
Particle Size Distribution
E-Cig Fixture
· The combination approach to particle size analysis
indicated that there are two distributions of aerosols.
Specific Aims
· Develop methods to characterize the mainstream
emissions from electronic cigarettes
Filter Sampler
· The FMPS data indicated a submicron distribution
with around 110 nm.
· Apply these techniques to blu® e-cig
Methods
Flow Meter
Chemical Composition Characterization
· NCI puffing protocol used
· Electronic cigarette emissions drawn directly onto a
dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) cartridge (shown
below)
Commercial Electronic Cigarettes
Blu e.cig starter pack and schematic
Nicotine Gas/Particle Partitioning
· Nicotine gas particle partitioning was evaluated (triplicate devices) at puffs
1, 3 and 20 for the 8 and 16 mg blu e.cig.
· The data indicate that the majority of the nicotine is in particulate form for
all conditions evaluated.
Summary
· Methods were developed to characterize the
mainstream emissions from electronic
cigarettes.
· Extracted with ACN containing internal standard
· Assayed via GC-MS
· Analysis of the blu e.cig indicates that the
mainstream emissions contain low levels of
formaldehyde and nicotine that scale with
labeled concentration.
Nicotine Gas/Particle Partitioning
· NCI puffing protocol used
Deconstruction of a blu e.cig cartridge
· Electronic cigarette emissions drawn through a
denuder (URG Corp) and a filter sample (shown below)
· Denuder and filter coated with oxalic acid prior to
each sample
· The APS and impactor data indicate another
distribution around 1 µm. The chemical analysis of
the impactor indicates that this distribution is a
homogeneous mixture of nicotine, propylene glycol
and glycerin.
APS Particle Size Distribution (above) and
FMPS Particle size distribution (below)
· The nicotine in the aerosol is primarily a
particle, likely associated with propylene
glycol and glycerin.
· The particle size distribution contains both
submicron and micron sized aerosols.
· Extracted with 5N NaOH containing internal standard
· Assayed via GC-MS
Funding
Electronic
Cigarette
Denuder
Filter
Syringe
This work was funded in Lovelace Respiratory Research
Institute internal research and development funds.

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