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. 2015 Sep 21;28(9):1675-7.
doi: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.5b00220. Epub 2015 Aug 7.

Highly reactive free radicals in electronic cigarette aerosols

Reema Goel  1 , Erwann Durand  2 , Neil Trushin  3 , Bogdan Prokopczyk  3 , Jonathan Foulds  1 , Ryan J Elias  2 , John P Richie Jr  1
Affiliations

Highly reactive free radicals in electronic cigarette aerosols

Reema Goel et al. Chem Res Toxicol. .

Abstract

Electronic cigarette (EC) usage has increased exponentially, but limited data are available on its potential harmful effects. We tested for the presence of reactive, short-lived free radicals in EC aerosols by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) using the spin-trap phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN). Radicals were detected in aerosols from all ECs and eliquids tested (2.5 × 10(13) to 10.3 × 10(13) radicals per puff at 3.3 V) and from eliquid solvents propylene glycol and glycerol and from "dry puffing". These results demonstrate, for the first time, the production of highly oxidizing free radicals from ECs which may present a potential toxicological risk to EC users.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Highly reactive free radicals in e-cigarette (EC) aerosols. Representative EPR spectra obtained from commercially available eliquids at 3.3 V.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Highly reactive free radicals obtained from e-cigarettes using eliquid solvents. Representative EPR spectra from propylene glycol or glycerin at 3.3 V.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Free radicals derived from from “dry puffing”. Representative EPR spectra obtained under “dry puffing” conditions with an intact cartomizer or with cartomizers that had the heating mechanism disabled, absorbent material removed or not activated.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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