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New Evidence of Thirdhand Smoke Risk from E-cigarettes

Electronic Cigarette SmokingDespite claims that electronic cigarettes are safe, new evidence from two studies indicates that e-cigarettes release “thirdhand smoke,” leaving varying but significant levels of nicotine residue on indoor surfaces, say researchers from the Roswell Cancer Park Institute (RCPI) in Buffalo, New York.

Thirdhand smoke refers to the residual nicotine and other chemicals remaining on indoor surfaces as a result of smoking. Makers and users of electronic cigarettes — devices that vaporized nicotine and other cigarette-associated substances through a battery-operated device — claim that e-cigarettes eliminate the harmful thirdhand smoke produced by conventional cigarettes. The use of e-cigarettes has doubled in the United States since 2008.

A 2012 study reported that, although e-cigarettes contribute less to indoor air pollution than conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are not entirely emission-free, meaning that non-users may still be exposed to the chemicals in the released vapor.

More recently, RCPI researchers conducted two studies to evaluate the nicotine content and thirdhand nicotine exposure from electronic cigarettes. Maciej Goniewicz, PhD, PharmD, presented the findings of both studies at the annual meeting of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, which concluded on February 8, 2014.

Comments Dr. Goniewicz on the importance of these studies, “The public health community agrees that more scientific inquiry is needed to understand the potential health impact of e-cigarettes. These studies add to the growing body of scientific evidence that will help to define and delineate a product that is broadly used indoors and is advertised and sold without restrictions.”

In the first of the present studies, the researchers vaporized the contents of three different brands of e-cigarettes inside a special chamber. The researchers then analyzed the floors, walls, windows, wood, and metal surfaces of the chamber for nicotine levels.

In three of four of the experiments, the researchers found varying but significant increases in nicotine residue within the chamber. The floor and windows retained the highest levels of nicotine from the electronic cigarettes. In other words, e-cigarettes do produce harmful thirdhand smoke.

For the second study, the researchers assessed the accuracy of product labeling on e-cigarettes. The researchers analyzed the contents of 32 e-cigarette refills and compared the findings with manufacturer claims on the product labels.

One in four of the products contains nicotine concentrations 20 percent higher than the amounts advertised on the packaging. The researchers also found nicotine in products labeled as nicotine-free. In other words, the labels on electronic cigarettes are far from accurate.

States Andrew Hyland, PhD, chair of RPCI Department of Health Behavior, “Research conducted by Roswell Park scientists provides a valuable contribution and insight into the content and marketing of e-cigarettes. This science can inform health policy organizations as they determine e-cigarette regulations, which can and should include smoke-free policies and standards for accurate labeling.”

Another recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE suggests that thirdhand smoke is associated with several adverse health effects including liver, lung, and skin problems.

References

E-cigarettes: New Evidence on Thirdhand Smoke Risk: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272425.php
Roswell Park Researchers Present Findings of 2 E-Cigarette Studies at SRNT Meeting: https://www.roswellpark.org/media/news/roswell-park-researchers-present-findings-2-e-cigarette-studies-srnt-meeting

Image Credits

Electronic Cigarette Smoking: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electronic_Cigarette_Smoking.jpg

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