|
1
|
Bonner E, Chang Y, Christie E, Colvin V, Cunningham B, Elson D, Ghetu C, Huizenga J, Hutton SJ, Kolluri SK, Maggio S, Moran I, Parker B, Rericha Y, Rivera BN, Samon S, Schwichtenberg T, Shankar P, Simonich MT, Wilson LB, Tanguay RL. The chemistry and toxicology of vaping. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 225:107837. [PMID: 33753133 PMCID: PMC8263470 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.107837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Vaping is the process of inhaling and exhaling an aerosol produced by an e-cigarette, vape pen, or personal aerosolizer. When the device contains nicotine, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists the product as an electronic nicotine delivery system or ENDS device. Similar electronic devices can be used to vape cannabis extracts. Over the past decade, the vaping market has increased exponentially, raising health concerns over the number of people exposed and a nationwide outbreak of cases of severe, sometimes fatal, lung dysfunction that arose suddenly in otherwise healthy individuals. In this review, we discuss the various vaping technologies, which are remarkably diverse, and summarize the use prevalence in the U.S. over time by youths and adults. We examine the complex chemistry of vape carrier solvents, flavoring chemicals, and transformation products. We review the health effects from epidemiological and laboratory studies and, finally, discuss the proposed mechanisms underlying some of these health effects. We conclude that since much of the research in this area is recent and vaping technologies are dynamic, our understanding of the health effects is insufficient. With the rapid growth of ENDS use, consumers and regulatory bodies need a better understanding of constituent-dependent toxicity to guide product use and regulatory decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Bonner
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Yvonne Chang
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Emerson Christie
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Victoria Colvin
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Brittany Cunningham
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Daniel Elson
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Christine Ghetu
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Juliana Huizenga
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Sara J Hutton
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Siva K Kolluri
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Stephanie Maggio
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Ian Moran
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Bethany Parker
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Yvonne Rericha
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Brianna N Rivera
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Samantha Samon
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Trever Schwichtenberg
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Prarthana Shankar
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Michael T Simonich
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Lindsay B Wilson
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Robyn L Tanguay
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Environmental Health Sciences Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The development and uptake of E cigarettes are a relatively recent phenomenon. Because of aggressive marketing, attractive designs, enticing flavors and primarily reactionary legislation, we are now seeing soaring rates of adolescent vaping with associated consequences. This review explores how E cigarettes work, their health implications, epidemiology among youth and current regulatory strategies. RECENT FINDINGS Recently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 27% of high school students had used a tobacco product within the last month, the majority being E-cigarettes in 20.8% of high school students. Vaping has managed to reverse a decades long trend of declining nicotine use among youth. Long-term addiction is not the only concern related to youth vaping; there are also increasing reports of short-term health consequences, such as seizures, acute nicotine toxicity, burns and lung injury. SUMMARY Industry has created and aggressively marketed a product that is enticing to adolescents. E cigarettes have sleek designs, desirable flavors and social acceptability with perceived safety among youth. This has resulted in epidemic E cigarette use in youth with resultant significant short-term and long-term health concerns. Legislation must include regulations that strictly avoid marketing and sales to youth, as well as reducing access to these products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Gilley
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Emergency Medicine, BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
| | - Suzanne Beno
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|