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Masoudi M, Torabi P, Judson-Torres RL, Khodarahmi R, Moradi S. Natural resistance to cancer: A window of hope. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:1131-1142. [PMID: 37860922 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
As healthcare systems are improving and thereby the life expectancy of human populations is increasing, cancer is representing itself as the second leading cause of death. Although cancer biologists have put enormous effort on cancer research so far, we still have a long way to go before being able to treat cancers efficiently. One interesting approach in cancer biology is to learn from natural resistance and/or predisposition to cancer. Cancer-resistant species and tissues are thought-provoking models whose study shed light on the inherent cancer resistance mechanisms that arose during the course of evolution. On the other hand, there are some syndromes and factors that increase the risk of cancer development, and revealing their underlying mechanisms will increase our knowledge about the process of cancer formation. Here, we review natural resistance and predisposition to cancer and the known mechanisms at play. Further insights from these natural phenomena will help design future cancer research and could ultimately lead to the development of novel cancer therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Masoudi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, Iran
| | - Parisa Torabi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Reza Khodarahmi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Sharif Moradi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Tehran, Iran
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2
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Granata S, Vivarelli F, Morosini C, Canistro D, Paolini M, Fairclough LC. Toxicological Aspects Associated with Consumption from Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS): Focus on Heavy Metals Exposure and Cancer Risk. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2737. [PMID: 38473984 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Tobacco smoking remains one of the leading causes of premature death worldwide. Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDSs) are proposed as a tool for smoking cessation. In the last few years, a growing number of different types of ENDSs were launched onto the market. Despite the manufacturing differences, ENDSs can be classified as "liquid e-cigarettes" (e-cigs) equipped with an atomizer that vaporizes a liquid composed of vegetable glycerin (VG), polypropylene glycol (PG), and nicotine, with the possible addition of flavorings; otherwise, the "heated tobacco products" (HTPs) heat tobacco sticks through contact with an electronic heating metal element. The presence of some metals in the heating systems, as well as in solder joints, involves the possibility that heavy metal ions can move from these components to the liquid, or they can be adsorbed into the tobacco stick from the heating blade in the case of HTPs. Recent evidence has indicated the presence of heavy metals in the refill liquids and in the mainstream such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb). The present review discusses the toxicological aspects associated with the exposition of heavy metals by consumption from ENDSs, focusing on metal carcinogenesis risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Granata
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Fabio Vivarelli
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Camilla Morosini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Donatella Canistro
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Moreno Paolini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Lucy C Fairclough
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, East Dr, Nottingham NG7 2TQ, UK
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3
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Roh T, Uyamasi K, Aggarwal A, Obeng A, Carrillo G. Association between e-cigarette use and asthma among US adolescents: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System 2015-2019. Prev Med 2023; 175:107695. [PMID: 37666307 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested that e-cigarette use, which has increased rapidly among US adolescents, may cause respiratory distress. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the factors associated with e-cigarette use and the relationship between e-cigarette use and asthma among US adolescents. METHODS Data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed, and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify demographic and behavioral factors associated with e-cigarette use. Stratified analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between e-cigarette use and asthma among adolescents by previous combustible product use. RESULTS This study found that Hispanic adolescents had lower odds of e-cigarette use than White adolescents in Texas, with factors such as age, substance use, and depression being associated with use. In the US, male gender, previous combustible and substance use, and depression were associated with higher odds of ever using e-cigarettes, while current use was associated with several factors including age and White race. E-cigarette use was significantly associated with asthma among adolescents who have never used combustible products in both Texas and the entire US after adjusting for covariates (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.06-1.66 and OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02-1.37, respectively). CONCLUSION The findings from this study can be used to inform public health strategies and policies aimed at reducing e-cigarette use and its associated health risks among adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taehyun Roh
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Kido Uyamasi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Anisha Aggarwal
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Alexander Obeng
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Genny Carrillo
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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Haworth-Duff A, Parkes GMB, Reed NJ. A simple approach to analysing trace metals in aerosols produced by e-cigarettes. Drug Test Anal 2023; 15:1084-1090. [PMID: 36445210 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes are a relatively new alternative to cigarettes, which have been marketed as being safer for users than conventional cigarettes. However, they may still result in inhalation of potentially toxic or carcinogenic substances, including metals produced by the heating element. This study looked at the levels of trace metals being produced by different atomizers used in e-cigarettes using a sample introduction technique based on the collection of aerosols produced by e-cigarettes in nitric acid, using glass midget impingers. Collected metals were then identified using an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), which allowed detection in the low ppb range. Results obtained showed considerable variation in the levels of metals between both manufacturers of atomizers and also between different batches of coils. This variation is likely to be even greater if the ability of users to customise some types of e-cigarettes is considered. Although there are limitations in terms of possible interferences from other metallic components in the e-cigarettes, the findings suggest the proposed method could be of use in investigating the risk of inhalation of toxic metals from e-cigarette use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Haworth-Duff
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science, University of Liverpool, Merseyside, UK
| | - Gareth M B Parkes
- Department of Chemical and Forensic Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - Natasha J Reed
- Department of Chemical and Forensic Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK
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Tian ZR, Sharma A, Muresanu DF, Sharma S, Feng L, Zhang Z, Li C, Buzoianu AD, Lafuente JV, Nozari A, Sjöqvisst PO, Wiklund L, Sharma HS. Nicotine neurotoxicity exacerbation following engineered Ag and Cu (50-60 nm) nanoparticles intoxication. Neuroprotection with nanowired delivery of antioxidant compound H-290/51 together with serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 172:189-233. [PMID: 37833012 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2023.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Nicotine abuse is frequent worldwide leading to about 8 millions people die every year due to tobacco related diseases. Military personnel often use nicotine smoking that is about 12.8% higher than civilian populations. Nicotine smoking triggers oxidative stress and are linked to several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Nicotine neurotoxicity induces significant depression and oxidative stress in the brain leading to neurovascular damages and brain pathology. Thus, details of nicotine neurotoxicity and factors influencing them require additional investigations. In this review, effects of engineered nanoparticles from metals Ag and Cu (50-60 nm) on nicotine neurotoxicity are discussed with regard to nicotine smoking. Military personnel often work in the environment where chances of nanoparticles exposure are quite common. In our earlier studies, we have shown that nanoparticles alone induces breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and exacerbates brain pathology in animal models. In present investigation, nicotine exposure in with Ag or Cu nanoparticles intoxicated group exacerbated BBB breakdown, induce oxidative stress and aggravate brain pathology. Treatment with nanowired H-290/51 a potent chain-breaking antioxidant together with nanowired ondansetron, a potent 5-HT3 receptor antagonist significantly reduced oxidative stress, BBB breakdown and brain pathology in nicotine exposure associated with Ag or Cu nanoparticles intoxication. The functional significance of this findings and possible mechanisms of nicotine neurotoxicity are discussed based on current literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Ryan Tian
- Dept. Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Aruna Sharma
- International Experimental Central Nervous System Injury & Repair (IECNSIR), Dept. of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Dafin F Muresanu
- Dept. Clinical Neurosciences, University of Medicine & Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; ''RoNeuro'' Institute for Neurological Research and Diagnostic, Mircea Eliade Street, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Suraj Sharma
- Blekinge Institute of Technology, BTH, Karlskrona, Sweden
| | - Lianyuan Feng
- Blekinge Institute of Technology, BTH, Karlskrona, Sweden
| | - Zhiqiang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Zhongshan Road (West), Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, P.R. China
| | - Cong Li
- Department of Neurology, Bethune International Peace Hospital, Zhongshan Road (West), Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, P.R. China
| | - Anca D Buzoianu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dade road No.111, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, P.R. China; Department of Neurosurgery, Chinese Medicine Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dade road No.111, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - José Vicente Lafuente
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ala Nozari
- Department of Anesthesiology, Boston University, Albany str, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Per-Ove Sjöqvisst
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Wiklund
- International Experimental Central Nervous System Injury & Repair (IECNSIR), Dept. of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hari Shanker Sharma
- International Experimental Central Nervous System Injury & Repair (IECNSIR), Dept. of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; LaNCE, Dept. Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.
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Shehata SA, Toraih EA, Ismail EA, Hagras AM, Elmorsy E, Fawzy MS. Vaping, Environmental Toxicants Exposure, and Lung Cancer Risk. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4525. [PMID: 37760496 PMCID: PMC10526315 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer (LC) is the second-most prevalent tumor worldwide. According to the most recent GLOBOCAN data, over 2.2 million LC cases were reported in 2020, with an estimated new death incident of 1,796,144 lung cancer cases. Genetic, lifestyle, and environmental exposure play an important role as risk factors for LC. E-cigarette, or vaping, products (EVPs) use has been dramatically increasing world-wide. There is growing concern that EVPs consumption may increase the risk of LC because EVPs contain several proven carcinogenic compounds. However, the relationship between EVPs and LC is not well established. E-cigarette contains nicotine derivatives (e.g., nitrosnornicotine, nitrosamine ketone), heavy metals (including organometal compounds), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and flavorings (aldehydes and complex organics). Several environmental toxicants have been proven to contribute to LC. Proven and plausible environmental carcinogens could be physical (ionizing and non-ionizing radiation), chemicals (such as asbestos, formaldehyde, and dioxins), and heavy metals (such as cobalt, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and nickel). Air pollution, especially particulate matter (PM) emitted from vehicles and industrial exhausts, is linked with LC. Although extensive environmental exposure prevention policies and smoking reduction strategies have been adopted globally, the dangers remain. Combined, both EVPs and toxic environmental exposures may demonstrate significant synergistic oncogenicity. This review aims to analyze the current publications on the importance of the relationship between EVPs consumption and environmental toxicants in the pathogenesis of LC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa A. Shehata
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt; (S.A.S.); (A.M.H.)
| | - Eman A. Toraih
- Division of Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA;
- Genetics Unit, Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Ezzat A. Ismail
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt;
| | - Abeer M. Hagras
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt; (S.A.S.); (A.M.H.)
| | - Ekramy Elmorsy
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar 73213, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt
| | - Manal S. Fawzy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar 73213, Saudi Arabia
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Rose JJ, Krishnan-Sarin S, Exil VJ, Hamburg NM, Fetterman JL, Ichinose F, Perez-Pinzon MA, Rezk-Hanna M, Williamson E. Cardiopulmonary Impact of Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Products: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2023; 148:703-728. [PMID: 37458106 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Vaping and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use have grown exponentially in the past decade, particularly among youth and young adults. Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for both cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. Because of their more limited ingredients and the absence of combustion, e-cigarettes and vaping products are often touted as safer alternative and potential tobacco-cessation products. The outbreak of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury in the United States in 2019, which led to >2800 hospitalizations, highlighted the risks of e-cigarettes and vaping products. Currently, all e-cigarettes are regulated as tobacco products and thus do not undergo the premarket animal and human safety studies required of a drug product or medical device. Because youth prevalence of e-cigarette and vaping product use was as high as 27.5% in high school students in 2019 in the United States, it is critical to assess the short-term and long-term health effects of these products, as well as the development of interventional and public health efforts to reduce youth use. The objectives of this scientific statement are (1) to describe and discuss e-cigarettes and vaping products use patterns among youth and adults; (2) to identify harmful and potentially harmful constituents in vaping aerosols; (3) to critically assess the molecular, animal, and clinical evidence on the acute and chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary risks of e-cigarette and vaping products use; (4) to describe the current evidence of e-cigarettes and vaping products as potential tobacco-cessation products; and (5) to summarize current public health and regulatory efforts of e-cigarettes and vaping products. It is timely, therefore, to review the short-term and especially the long-term implications of e-cigarettes and vaping products on cardiopulmonary health. Early molecular and clinical evidence suggests various acute physiological effects from electronic nicotine delivery systems, particularly those containing nicotine. Additional clinical and animal-exposure model research is critically needed as the use of these products continues to grow.
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Williams BS, Piper M, Piasecki TM, Kaye J, Fiore M. Trends in E-cigarette Use in Callers to the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line. WMJ : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF WISCONSIN 2023; 122:10-14. [PMID: 36940115 PMCID: PMC10345946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION E-cigarette use has been increasing for years with a limited understanding of how to help users quit. Quit lines are a potential resource for e-cigarette cessation. Our objective was to characterize e-cigarette users who call state quit lines and to examine trends in e-cigarette use by callers. METHODS This retrospective study examined data from adult callers to the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line from July 2016 through November 2020, including demographics, tobacco product use, motivations for use, and intentions to quit. Descriptive analyses were performed by age group with pairwise comparisons. RESULTS A total of 26,705 encounters were handled by the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line during the study period. E-cigarettes were used by 11% of callers. Young adults aged 18-24 had the highest rates of use at 30%, and their use rose significantly from 19.6% in 2016 to 39.6% in 2020. E-cigarette use among young adult callers peaked at 49.7% in 2019, coinciding with an outbreak of e-cigarette-related lung injury. Only 53.5% of young adult callers used e-cigarettes to "cut down on other tobacco," compared to 76.3% of adult callers aged 45-64 (P <0.05). Of all callers using e-cigarettes, 80% were interested in quitting. CONCLUSIONS E-cigarette use among callers to the Wisconsin Tobacco Quit Line has increased, driven largely by young adults. Most e-cigarette users who call the quit line want to quit. Thus, quit lines can serve an important role in e-cigarette cessation. A better understanding of strategies to help e-cigarette users quit is needed, particularly in young adult callers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian S Williams
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, Madison, Wisconsin,
| | - Megan Piper
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Thomas M Piasecki
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jesse Kaye
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Michael Fiore
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, Madison, Wisconsin
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Aly AS, Mamikutty R, Marhazlinda J. Association between Harmful and Addictive Perceptions of E-Cigarettes and E-Cigarette Use among Adolescents and Youth-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:1678. [PMID: 36360406 PMCID: PMC9689130 DOI: 10.3390/children9111678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recognising the association between the perceived risks of e-cigarettes and e-cigarette usage among youth is critical for planning effective prevention and intervention initiatives; thus, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. METHODS Fourteen databases were searched for eligible studies from the Inception of database until March 2022 to examine the effect estimates of the association between perceptions of harmfulness and addictiveness and overall e-cigarette usage among adolescents and youth. RESULTS The meta-analysis showed that in comparison to non-users, young people who were ever e-cigarette users were two times more likely to disagree that e-cigarettes are harmful (OR: 2.20, 95% CI: 1.41-3.43) and perceived e-cigarettes as less harmful than tobacco cigarettes (OR: 2.01, 95% CI 1.47-2.75). Youths who were ever e-cigarette users were also 2.3 and 1.8 times more likely to perceive e-cigarettes as less addictive (OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.81-2.88) or perceive e-cigarettes as more addictive (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.22-2.73) than tobacco cigarettes, as compared with non-users. The subgroup analysis reported that adolescents were more likely to believe that e-cigarettes are less harmful than tobacco cigarettes, while youth users perceived otherwise. CONCLUSION the risk perceptions of e-cigarettes are associated with e-cigarette use among adolescents and youth and could be the focus of health promotion to prevent and curb the uptake of e-cigarettes among young people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ameera Syafiqah Aly
- Department of Community Oral Health and Clinical Prevention, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
- Oral Health Program, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya 62590, Malaysia
| | - Rokiah Mamikutty
- Oral Health Program, Ministry of Health, Putrajaya 62590, Malaysia
| | - Jamaludin Marhazlinda
- Department of Community Oral Health and Clinical Prevention, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
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Yang J, Kuo J, Su WC, Jorenby DE, Piper ME, Buu A. A new statistical model for longitudinal ecological momentary assessment data on dual use of electronic and combustible cigarettes. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2022; 48:529-537. [PMID: 35100512 PMCID: PMC10201566 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2022.2027955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Background: Existing studies of dual use of electronic and combustible cigarettes either collected longitudinal data with long gaps in between waves or conducted ecological momentary assessment (EMA) over a short period of time. In recent years, the measurement burst design that embeds an EMA protocol in each wave assessment of a traditional longitudinal study has become more popular and yet conventional generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) have important limitations for handling data from this design.Objectives: This study proposed a new statistical method to analyze data from the measurement burst design.Methods: This new statistical method was designed to model the short-term (within-wave) as well as long-term (between-wave) changes and was validated by a simulation study. Secondary analysis was conducted to analyze data from 205 dual users (52% male) and 146 exclusive smokers (50% male) who participated in a recent study using the measurement burst design.Results: The simulation study shows that the proposed method can handle the gap between waves well and is also robust to nonlinear changes across waves. Although no short-term change in smoking was found, dual users reported a long-term reduction in cigarette use that was more rapid compared to exclusive smokers (β ˆ = - 0.0127 , p = .0167 ). Vaping more was associated with smoking less (β ˆ = - 0.0058 , p = .0054 ).Conclusion: The proposed method is highly applicable as it can be easily implemented by substance use researchers and the results can be straightforwardly interpreted. The results suggest that e-cigarette use may play a role in promoting a long-term reduction in smoking among dual users.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Yang
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, University of Texas Health Science Center, 1200 Pressler St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jacky Kuo
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, University of Texas Health Science Center, 1200 Pressler St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wei-Chung Su
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, 1200 Pressler St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Douglas E. Jorenby
- Center for Tobacco Research & Intervention, University of Wisconsin, 1930 Monroe Street, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Megan E. Piper
- Center for Tobacco Research & Intervention, University of Wisconsin, 1930 Monroe Street, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53711, USA
| | - Anne Buu
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7000 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Pipe AL, Mir H. E-Cigarettes Reexamined: Product Toxicity. Can J Cardiol 2022; 38:1395-1405. [PMID: 36089290 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of e-cigarettes, or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), has been accompanied by controversy regarding their safety and effectiveness as a cessation aid and by an explosion in their use by youth. Their use does not involve the combustion of tobacco and the creation of harmful combustion products; they have been seen as a "harm reduction" tool that may be of assistance in promoting smoking cessation. Recognition that ENDS can deliver an array of chemicals and materials with known adverse consequences has spurred more careful examination of these products. Nicotine, nitrosamines, carbonyl compounds, heavy metals, free radicals, reactive oxygen species, particulate matter, and "emerging chemicals of concern" are among the constituents of the heated chemical aerosol that is inhaled when ENDS are used. They raise concerns for cardiovascular and respiratory health that merit the attention of clinicians and regulatory agencies. Frequently cited concerns include evidence of disordered respiratory function, altered hemodynamics, endothelial dysfunction, vascular reactivity, and enhanced thrombogenesis. The absence of evidence of the consequences of their long-term use is of additional concern. Their effectiveness as cessation aids and beneficial impact on health outcomes continue to be examined. It is important to ensure that their production and availability are thoughtfully regulated to optimise their safety and permit their use as harm reduction devices and potentially as smoking-cessation aids. It is equally vital to effectively prevent them from becoming ubiquitous consumer products with the potential to rapidly induce nicotine addiction among large numbers of youth. Clinicians should understand the nature of these products and the implications of their use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew L Pipe
- Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Hassan Mir
- Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Soulet S, Sussman RA. A Critical Review of Recent Literature on Metal Contents in E-Cigarette Aerosol. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10090510. [PMID: 36136475 PMCID: PMC9506048 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10090510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The inhalation of metallic compounds in e-cigarette (EC) aerosol emissions presents legitimate concerns of potential harms for users. We provide a critical review of laboratory studies published after 2017 on metal contents in EC aerosol, focusing on the consistency between their experimental design, real life device usage and appropriate evaluation of exposure risks. All experiments reporting levels above toxicological markers for some metals (e.g., nickel, lead, copper, manganese) exhibited the following experimental flaws: (i) high powered sub-ohm tank devices tested by means of puffing protocols whose airflows and puff volumes are conceived and appropriate for low powered devices; this testing necessarily involves overheating conditions that favor the production of toxicants and generate aerosols that are likely repellent to human users; (ii) miscalculation of exposure levels from experimental outcomes; (iii) pods and tank devices acquired months and years before the experiments, so that corrosion effects cannot be ruled out; (iv) failure to disclose important information on the characteristics of pods and tank devices, on the experimental methodology and on the resulting outcomes, thus hindering the interpretation of results and the possibility of replication. In general, low powered devices tested without these shortcomings produced metal exposure levels well below strict reference toxicological markers. We believe this review provides useful guidelines for a more objective risk assessment of EC aerosol emissions and signals the necessity to upgrade current laboratory testing standards.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberto A. Sussman
- Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
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13
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Lin HC, Buu A, Su WC. Disposable E-Cigarettes and Associated Health Risks: An Experimental Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph191710633. [PMID: 36078349 PMCID: PMC9518067 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including disposable e-cigarettes, has been prevalent. Existing chemical analyses of ENDS focused on e-liquids rather than aerosols and failed to consider particle sizes and aerosol respiratory deposition fractions, which are key factors for inhalation doses. This study investigated the organic chemical and metal constituents in size-segregated ENDS aerosol and assessed the deposited doses and health risks of these substances. Aerosol chemical analyses were conducted on two popular disposable ENDS products: Puff Bar (Grape) and Air Bar (Watermelon Ice). An ENDS aerosol was generated and delivered into a Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor to collect size-segregated aerosol samples, in which organic chemicals and metals were analyzed. Daily and lifetime doses for each chemical were estimated. Cancer and non-cancer risk assessments were conducted based on the deposited doses. We found that e-cigarette aerosol contains certain harmful organic chemicals and metals documented to result in respiratory problems. Estimated respiratory cancer risks corresponding to chromium from both ENDS products and nickel from Air Bar (Watermelon Ice) were substantially above the conventionally acceptable risk. The method, findings, and implications can contribute to the extant literature of ENDS toxicity studies as well as inform tobacco regulation and future large-scale studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Chang Lin
- Department of Applied Health Science, School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington, 1025 E. 7th St., SPH 116, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA
| | - Anne Buu
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7000 Fannin St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Wei-Chung Su
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, 1200 Pressler St., Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(713)-500-9251
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14
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DeJong KN, Choby B, Valent AM. Strategies for Prevention or Treatment of Tobacco and Cannabis Use Disorder. Clin Obstet Gynecol 2022; 65:397-419. [PMID: 35318983 DOI: 10.1097/grf.0000000000000688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco and cannabis use in pregnancy are associated with increased adverse perinatal and long-term offspring outcomes. Products for both have evolved with various forms available on the market, challenging accurate counseling of risks and quantification of tobacco and cannabis usage during the perinatal period. Health care providers are recommended to screen for any type of use, provide consistent messaging of harms of tobacco and cannabis use in pregnancy, and offer individualized interventions. The journey to cessation can be complicated by barriers and triggers, lack of social supports, and mental health challenges that should be addressed to prevent relapse and withdrawals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine N DeJong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Addiction Medicine, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Beth Choby
- Department of Medical Education, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Amy M Valent
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon
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15
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Attfield KR, Zalay M, Zwack LM, Glassford EK, LeBouf RF, Materna BL. Assessment of worker chemical exposures in California vape shops. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2022; 19:197-209. [PMID: 35156905 PMCID: PMC8989644 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2022.2036341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid mixture to make an aerosol that is inhaled, or vaped, by the user. Vape shops are retail environments designed to fulfill customer demand for diverse e-liquid flavors and hardware options, which create unique worker exposure concerns. To characterize exposures to vape shop workers, especially to flavoring chemicals associated with known respiratory toxicity, this study recruited vape shops from the San Francisco Bay Area. In six shops, we measured air concentrations for volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, flavoring chemicals, and nicotine in personal and/or area samples; analyzed components of e-liquids vaped during field visits; and assessed metals on surface wipe samples. Interviews and observations were conducted over the course of a workday in the same six shops and interviews were performed in an additional six where sampling was not conducted. Detections of the alpha-diketone butter flavoring chemicals diacetyl and/or 2,3-pentanedione were common: in the headspace of purchased e-liquids (18 of 26 samples), in personal air samples (5 of 16), and in area air samples (2 of 6 shops). Two exceedances of recommended exposure limits for 2,3-pentanedione (a short-term exposure limit and an 8-hr time-weighted average) were measured in personal air samples. Other compounds detected in the area and personal air samples included substitutes for diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione (acetoin and 2,3-hexanedione) and compounds that may be contaminants or impurities. Furthermore, a large variety (82) of other flavoring chemicals were detected in area air samples. None of the 12 shops interviewed had a health and safety program. Six shops reported no use of any personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., gloves, chemical resistant aprons, eye protection) and the others stated occasional use; however, no PPE use was observed during any field investigation day. Recommendations were provided to shops that included making improvements to ventilation, hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, and, if possible, avoidance of products containing the alpha-diketone flavoring chemicals. Future research is needed to evaluate the long-term health risks among workers in the vape shop retail industry and for e-cigarette use generally. Specific areas include further characterizing e-liquid constituents and emissions, evaluating ingredient health risks, evaluating the contributions of different routes of exposure (dermal, inhalation, and ingestion), and determining effective exposure mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen R Attfield
- Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California
| | | | - Leonard M Zwack
- Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Eric K Glassford
- Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ryan F LeBouf
- Field Studies Branch, Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Barbara L Materna
- Occupational Health Branch, California Department of Public Health, Richmond, California
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16
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Al Mutairi MA, Al Herbish HA, Al-Ajmi RS, Alhazmi HZ, Al-Dhelaan RA, Alowaifeer AM. Analyzing pesticides and metal(loid)s in imported tobacco to Saudi Arabia and risk assessment of inhalation exposure to certain metals. Inhal Toxicol 2022; 34:68-79. [PMID: 35262446 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2022.2037791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to toxic chemicals through smoked tobacco is a significant global public health issue due to their genotoxic and carcinogenic properties. The study aims to (1) measure Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Mercury (Hg), Nickle (Ni), lead (Pb), and 407 pesticides in tobacco commercialized in Saudi Arabia; and (2) evaluate human health risks associated with smoking tobacco. Thus, we analyzed 60 tobacco samples per brand from eight of the most popular tobacco brands in the Saudi market. The analyzed tobacco contained significant concentrations of toxic metal (loid)s and banned pesticides. Twenty-three out of 407 pesticide residues were found, with an average concentration of 0.004-1.155 µg/g. Average concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg, Ni, and Pb for all brands were 0.16, 0.57, 0.75, 1.36, 1.94, 0.01, and 0.37 µg/g, respectively. The risk assessment indicated that high cancer risks are associated with exposure to As, Cd, Cr, and Ni, while lower risks are associated with Pb. Additionally, the potential cancer risk estimated for Cr was higher than other toxic elements. The cumulative cancer risks (95%) under three different cases for all brands were greater than the permissible limits (=10-4). The chances of getting cancer through inhalation of particulate As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb was 4 in 10 000 cases in the best case scenario (1 cigarette per day). Therefore, metal content in cigarette tobacco should be reduced to improve public health.HIGHLIGHTSAll tested brands contained banned pesticide residues except for brand C.Tobacco samples contained significant concentrations of toxic metal(loid)s.A high risk of developing cancer is associated with exposure to As, Cd, Cr, and Ni, while a lower risk is associated with exposure to Pb.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Al Mutairi
- Reference Laboratory for Food Chemistry, Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hatim A Al Herbish
- Reference Laboratory for Food Chemistry, Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rakan S Al-Ajmi
- Reference Laboratory for Food Chemistry, Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hatim Z Alhazmi
- Reference Laboratory for Food Chemistry, Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reham A Al-Dhelaan
- Reference Laboratory for Food Chemistry, Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah M Alowaifeer
- Reference Laboratory for Food Chemistry, Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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17
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Jităreanu A, Cara IG, Sava A, Mârțu I, Caba IC, Agoroaei L. The Impact of the Storage Conditions and Type of Clearomizers on the Increase of Heavy Metal Levels in Electronic Cigarette Liquids Retailed in Romania. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10030126. [PMID: 35324751 PMCID: PMC8950552 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10030126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The growing popularity of electronic cigarettes has raised several public health concerns, including the risks associated with heavy metals exposure via e-liquids and vapors. The purpose of this study was to determine, using atomic absorption spectrometry, the concentrations of Pb, Ni, Zn, and Co in some commercially available e-liquid samples from Romania immediately after purchase and after storage in clearomizers. Lead and zinc were found in all investigated samples before storage. The initial concentrations of Pb ranged from 0.13 to 0.26 mg L−1, while Zn concentrations were between 0.04 and 0.07 mg L−1. Traces of nickel appeared in all investigated e-liquids before storage but in very small amounts (0.01–0.02 mg L−1). Co was below the detection limits. We investigated the influence of the storage period (1, 3, and 5 days), storage temperature (22 °C and 40 °C), and type of clearomizer. In most cases, the temperature rise and storage period increase were associated with higher concentrations of heavy metals. This confirms that storage conditions can affect metal transfer and suggests that the temperature of storage is another parameter that can influence this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Jităreanu
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iași, Romania; (A.J.); (I.-C.C.); (L.A.)
| | - Irina Gabriela Cara
- Research Institute for Agriculture and Environment, “Ion Ionescu de la Brad” University of Life Sciences, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Alexandru Sava
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iași, Romania;
| | - Ioana Mârțu
- Department of Dental Technology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iași, Romania;
| | - Ioana-Cezara Caba
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iași, Romania; (A.J.); (I.-C.C.); (L.A.)
| | - Luminița Agoroaei
- Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iași, Romania; (A.J.); (I.-C.C.); (L.A.)
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18
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Zhao D, Ilievski V, Slavkovich V, Olmedo P, Domingo-Relloso A, Rule AM, Kleiman NJ, Navas-Acien A, Hilpert M. Effects of e-liquid flavor, nicotine content, and puff duration on metal emissions from electronic cigarettes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:112270. [PMID: 34717948 PMCID: PMC9140018 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Vaping is the action of inhaling and exhaling aerosols from electronic cigarettes. The aerosols contain various amounts of toxic chemicals, including metals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors that can influence metal levels, including flavor and nicotine content in the e-liquid, and puff duration. Aerosols were collected from both closed-system (cartridge-based) and open-system e-cigarettes using e-liquids with different flavors (fruit, tobacco, and menthol), nicotine content (0, 6, 24, and 59 mg/mL), and different puff durations (1, 2, and 4 s). The concentrations of 14 metals in the collected aerosols were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Aerosol concentrations of As, Fe, and Mn varied significantly among fruit, tobacco, and menthol flavors in both closed-system and open-system devices. Concentrations of Al, Fe, Sn, and U were significantly higher in tobacco or menthol flavored aerosols compared to fruit flavors in closed-system devices. Aerosol W levels were significantly higher in tobacco flavored aerosols compared to fruit flavors in open-system devices. Concentrations of As, Fe, and Mn were higher in tobacco flavored aerosols compared to menthol flavors in both types of devices. The median Pb concentration decreased significantly from 15.8 to 0.88 μg/kg when nicotine content increased from 0 to 59 mg/mL, and median Ni concentration was 9.60 times higher in aerosols with nicotine of 59 mg/mL compared to 24 mg/mL (11.9 vs. 1.24 μg/kg) for closed-system devices. No significant differences were observed in aerosol metal concentrations for different puff durations. Aerosol metal concentrations varied widely between different flavors and nicotine content but not by puff duration. Flavor and nicotine content of the e-liquid could be potential factors in metal emissions. Some elements showed higher concentrations under certain conditions, highlighting the urgent need of developing strict product regulations, especially on e-liquid composition and nicotine content to inform e-cigarette users about metal exposure through vaping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA; State Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Vesna Ilievski
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vesna Slavkovich
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pablo Olmedo
- Department of Legal Medicine and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Spain
| | - Arce Domingo-Relloso
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ana M Rule
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Norman J Kleiman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ana Navas-Acien
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Markus Hilpert
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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19
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Abstract
The use of electronic (e)-cigarettes was initially considered a beneficial solution to conventional cigarette smoking cessation. However, paradoxically, e-cigarette use is rapidly growing among nonsmokers, including youth and young adults. In 2019, this rapid growth resulted in an epidemic of hospitalizations and deaths of e-cigarette users (vapers) due to acute lung injury; this novel disease was termed e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI). Pathophysiologic mechanisms of EVALI likely involve cytotoxicity and neutrophilic inflammation caused by inhaled chemicals, but further details remain unknown. The undiscovered mechanisms of EVALI are a barrier to identifying biomarkers and developing therapeutics. Furthermore, adverse effects of e-cigarette use have been linked to chronic lung diseases and systemic effects on multiple organs. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the diverse spectrum of vaping exposures, epidemiological and clinical reports, and experimental findings to provide a better understanding of EVALI and the adverse health effects of chronic e-cigarette exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Ah Park
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
| | - Laura E Crotty Alexander
- University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Veterans Affairs (VA) San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - David C Christiani
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; .,Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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20
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Snoderly HT, Nurkiewicz TR, Bowdridge EC, Bennewitz MF. E-Cigarette Use: Device Market, Study Design, and Emerging Evidence of Biological Consequences. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12452. [PMID: 34830344 PMCID: PMC8619996 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes are frequently viewed as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes; however, evidence to support this perspective has not materialized. Indeed, the current literature reports that electronic cigarette use is associated with both acute lung injury and subclinical dysfunction to the lung and vasculature that may result in pathology following chronic use. E-cigarettes can alter vascular dynamics, polarize innate immune populations towards a proinflammatory state, compromise barrier function in the pulmonary endothelium and epithelium, and promote pre-oncogenic phenomena. This review will summarize the variety of e-cigarette products available to users, discuss current challenges in e-cigarette study design, outline the range of pathologies occurring in cases of e-cigarette associated acute lung injury, highlight disease supporting tissue- and cellular-level changes resulting from e-cigarette exposure, and briefly examine how these changes may promote tumorigenesis. Continued research of the mechanisms by which e-cigarettes induce pathology benefit users and clinicians by resulting in increased regulation of vaping devices, informing treatments for emerging diseases e-cigarettes produce, and increasing public awareness to reduce e-cigarette use and the onset of preventable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter T. Snoderly
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA;
- Center for Inhalation Toxicology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; (T.R.N.); (E.C.B.)
| | - Timothy R. Nurkiewicz
- Center for Inhalation Toxicology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; (T.R.N.); (E.C.B.)
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Elizabeth C. Bowdridge
- Center for Inhalation Toxicology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; (T.R.N.); (E.C.B.)
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Margaret F. Bennewitz
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA;
- Center for Inhalation Toxicology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA; (T.R.N.); (E.C.B.)
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21
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Hiler M, Weidner AS, Hull LC, Kurti AN, Mishina EV. Systemic biomarkers of exposure associated with ENDS use: a scoping review. Tob Control 2021:tobaccocontrol-2021-056896. [PMID: 34732539 DOI: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2021-056896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This scoping review provides an overview of the existing literature on biomarkers of exposure from electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use and identifies gaps in existing knowledge. DATA SOURCES We searched two international databases (PubMed and Web of Science) to identify relevant studies published from August 2013 to February 2021. DATA SELECTION Studies were included if they assessed and compared biomarkers of exposure between exclusive ENDS users, non-users, exclusive cigarette smokers, dual users of ENDS and cigarettes or cigarette smokers who switch to ENDS. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Of the 5074 studies identified, 188 studies met criteria and were selected for full-text screening. Of these, 27 studies were selected for inclusion and data extraction. CONCLUSIONS Consistent, although limited, evidence shows that exclusive ENDS users have elevated levels of biomarkers of certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs; eg, acrylamide and acrylonitrile), metals (eg, cadmium and selenium) and propylene glycol compared with non-users; however, evidence for biomarkers of other toxicants (eg, acrolein, benzene and chromium) is mixed. Biomarkers of most VOCs are lower in ENDS users compared with cigarette smokers, and cigarette smokers who switch to ENDS consistently show reductions in VOC biomarkers. Evidence comparing metal exposures from exclusive ENDS use, cigarette smoking and dual use is mixed and depends on the metal. ENDS and e-liquid characteristics as well as use patterns may be associated with elevated exposure to VOCs and metals. Additional rigorous, controlled studies can assess biomarker exposures from ENDS use and inform the overall risk-benefit of ENDS use for different user populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzena Hiler
- Center for Tobacco Products, Office of Science, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Anna-Sophie Weidner
- Center for Tobacco Products, Office of Science, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Lynn C Hull
- Center for Tobacco Products, Office of Science, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Allison N Kurti
- Center for Tobacco Products, Office of Science, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Elena V Mishina
- Center for Tobacco Products, Office of Science, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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22
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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.
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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.
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Yuan X, Gan Y, Zhang Y, Dong B. Level, source, and risk assessment of toxic elements in traditional agricultural soils and coping strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:568. [PMID: 34386879 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09362-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The level, source, and risk of toxic elements in traditional agricultural soils are particularly crucial for the sustainable development of agriculture. An important agricultural production base was selected, a total of 251 topsoil samples were collected, eight toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn) in soil were analyzed, and environmental and health risk assessments were conducted. Results showed that all concentrations of eight elements in soil samples were lower than the risk screening values with negligible pollution risk. Approximately 83.8% of Hg in soil was originated from atmospheric deposition related to industrial emissions, 53.2% of Cd was derived from direct industrial activities, and the other elements came from soil parent materials or agricultural activities. Accumulation risk of As in agricultural products, potential ecological risk from Cd, and As's ingestion risk and Cr's dermal contact risk should be paid more attention. More stricter monitoring and coping countermeasures and strategies should be established to ensure the sustainable development of agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuexia Yuan
- Institute of Agricultural Standards and Testing Technology for Agri-Products, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences & Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Test Technology On Food Quality and Safety, Gongyebei Road 202, Shandong, 250100, Jinan, China.
| | - Yandong Gan
- School of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Shandong Institute of Territorial and Spatial Planning, Erhuandong Road 5948, Jinan 250014, China.
| | - Bo Dong
- Institute of Dryland Agriculture, Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China
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Omaiye EE, Williams M, Bozhilov KN, Talbot P. Design features and elemental/metal analysis of the atomizers in pod-style electronic cigarettes. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248127. [PMID: 33690644 PMCID: PMC7943009 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The atomizers of electronic cigarettes (ECs) contain metals that transfer to the aerosol upon heating and may present health hazards. This study analyzed 4th-generation EC pod atomizer design features and characterized their elemental/metal composition. METHODS Eleven EC pods from six brands/manufacturers were purchased at local shops and online. Pods were dissected and imaged using a Canon EOS Rebel SL2 camera. Elemental analysis and mapping of atomizer components was done using a scanning electron microscope coupled with an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer. RESULTS EC pods varied in size and design. The internal atomizer components were similar across brands except for variations occurring mainly in the wicks and filaments of some products. The filaments were either Elinvar (nickel, iron, and chromium) (36.4%), nichrome (36.4%), iron-chromium (18.2%), or nickel (9%). Thick wires present in 55% of the atomizers were mainly nickel and were joined to filaments by brazing. Wire-connector joints were Elinvar. Metal air tubes were made of Elinvar (50%), nickel, zinc, copper, and tin (37.5%), and nickel and copper (12.5%). Most of the wick components were silica, except for two pods (PHIX and Mico), which were mainly ceramic. Connectors contained gold-plated nickel, iron-chromium multiple alloys of nickel, zinc, gold, iron, and copper. Wick chambers were made of Elinvar. Outer casings were either nickel, copper-tin, or nickel-copper alloys. Magnets were nickel with minor iron, copper, and sulfur. Some frequently occurring elements were high in relative abundance in atomizer components. CONCLUSIONS The atomizers of pods are similar to previous generations, with the introduction of ceramic wicks and magnets in the newer generations. The elements in EC atomizers may transfer into aerosols and adversely affect health and accumulate in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther E. Omaiye
- Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States of America
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States of America
| | - Monique Williams
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States of America
| | - Krassimir N. Bozhilov
- Central Facility for Advanced Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States of America
| | - Prue Talbot
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States of America
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Attfield KR, Chen W, Cummings KJ, Jacob P, O'Shea DF, Wagner J, Wang P, Fowles J. Potential of Ethenone (Ketene) to Contribute to Electronic Cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use-associated Lung Injury. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2020; 202:1187-1189. [PMID: 32551843 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202003-0654le] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Wenhao Chen
- California Department of Public Health Richmond, California
| | | | - Peyton Jacob
- University of California San Francisco San Francisco, California and
| | | | - Jeff Wagner
- California Department of Public Health Richmond, California
| | - Ping Wang
- California Department of Public Health Richmond, California
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Szukalska M, Szyfter K, Florek E, Rodrigo JP, Rinaldo A, Mäkitie AA, Strojan P, Takes RP, Suárez C, Saba NF, Braakhuis BJ, Ferlito A. Electronic Cigarettes and Head and Neck Cancer Risk-Current State of Art. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3274. [PMID: 33167393 PMCID: PMC7694366 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
E-cigarettes have become increasingly popular in the last decade and are considered less harmful than traditional tobacco products due to the lower content of toxic and carcinogenic compounds. However, this is still a controversial issue. This paper contains a review of previous reports on the composition of e-cigarettes and their impact on the pathogenesis and risk of head and neck cancer (HNC). The objective of the review was to compare the molecular and health effects of e-cigarette use in relation to the effects of traditional cigarette smoking in the upper respiratory tract, and to assess the safety and effect of e-cigarettes on HNC risk. A review for English language articles published until 31 August 2020 was made, using a PubMed (including MEDLINE), CINAHL Plus, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science data. The authors reviewed articles on both toxic and carcinogenic compounds contained in e-cigarettes and their molecular and health effects on the upper respiratory tract in comparison to tobacco cigarettes. The risk of developing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains lower in users of e-cigarettes compared with tobacco smokers. However, more long-term studies are needed to better address the safety of e-cigarettes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Szukalska
- Laboratory of Environmental Research, Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-631 Poznan, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Szyfter
- Institute of Human Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-479 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Ewa Florek
- Laboratory of Environmental Research, Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-631 Poznan, Poland
| | - Juan P. Rodrigo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias-University of Oviedo, 33011 Oviedo, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, University of Oviedo, CIBERONC, 33011 Oviedo, Spain;
| | | | - Antti A. Mäkitie
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00029 HUS Helsinki, Finland;
- Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Department of Clinical Sciences, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute and Karolinska Hospital, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Primož Strojan
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Institute of Oncology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
| | - Robert P. Takes
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands;
| | - Carlos Suárez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, University of Oviedo, CIBERONC, 33011 Oviedo, Spain;
| | - Nabil F. Saba
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | | | - Alfio Ferlito
- Coordinator of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group, 35100 Padua, Italy;
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Vaping cartridge heating element compositions and evidence of high temperatures. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240613. [PMID: 33075091 PMCID: PMC7571715 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying the functional materials inside vaping devices can help inform efforts to understand risk. While nicotine E-cigarette components and metals have been characterized in several previous studies, the internal component compositions of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cartridge designs are not as well known. The 2019-20 e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury (EVALI) outbreak has been associated with THC devices containing vitamin E acetate (VEA), possibly mediated by chemical reactions with internal cartridge components and high filament temperatures. METHODS We investigate the composition and internal components of 2019 EVALI patient-associated THC vaping devices compared to other THC and nicotine devices from 2016-19, specifically the metal, ceramic, and polymer components likely to be exposed to heat. To do this, we have disassembled forty-eight components from eight used and unused vaping devices under a microscope and analyzed them using X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared micro-spectroscopy. CONCLUSIONS The two THC cartridges used by EVALI patients exhibited evidence of localized high temperatures, including charring of the ceramic heating elements and damaged wire surfaces. The newer THC cartridges possessed more ceramic and polymer insulation than older THC or nicotine devices. The combination of ceramics, metals, and high temperatures in newer THC cartridges is consistent with conditions hypothesized to produce VEA reactions during vaping. Nickel and chromium components were detected in all devices, and others contained copper, lead, tin, gold, silicon-rich rubbers, or fluorinated microplastics. These components have the potential to thermally degrade and volatilize if heated sufficiently. These findings do not imply that harmful exposures would occur under all usage conditions, and are most relevant to harm reduction efforts based on avoiding higher internal temperatures. This study was limited to a small sample of cartridges obtained from investigations. Future work should test more device types and internal temperatures under controlled usage conditions.
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