Particulate matter in aerosols produced by two last generation electronic cigarettes: a comparison in a real-world environment

The design of e-cigarettes (e-cigs) is constantly evolving and the latest models can aerosolize using high-power sub-ohm resistance and hence may produce specific particle concentrations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the aerosol characteristics generated by two different types of electronic cigarette in real-world conditions, such as a sitting room or a small office, in number of particles (particles/cm3). We compared the real time and time-integrated measurements of the aerosol generated by the e-cigarette types Just Fog and JUUL. Real time (10s average) number of particles (particles/cm3) in 8 different aerodynamic sizes was measured using an optical particle counter (OPC) model Profiler 212-2. Tests were conducted with and without a Heating, Ventilating Air Conditioning System (HVACS) in operation, in order to evaluate the efficiency of air filtration. During the vaping sessions the OPC recorded quite significant increases in number of particles/cm3. The JUUL e-cig produced significantly lower emissions than Just Fog with and without the HVACS in operation. The study demonstrates the rapid volatility or change from liquid or semi-liquid to gaseous status of the e-cig aerosols, with half-life in the order of a few seconds (min. 4.6, max 23.9), even without the HVACS in operation. The e-cig aerosol generated by the JUUL proved significantly lower than that generated by the Just Fog, but this reduction may not be sufficient to eliminate or consistently reduce the health risk for vulnerable non e-cig users exposed to it.

[Comparative study of the evolution of inflammatory colitis treated with an elemental diet, glutamine and 5-ASA. An experimental study in rats]

The objective of the present investigation was to study the evolution of untreated inflammatory disease of the colon as compared to disease treated with an elemental diet plus glutamine, with 5-ASA and with a combination of the three. A total of 120 female Wistar-Tecpar rats aged 180 days and weighing on average 290 g were studied. Inflammatory disease of the colon was induced with 10% acetic acid and the animals were divided at random into four groups of 30 rats each. Group A, which received a standard diet and no type of treatment, was used as control. Group B received an elemental diet supplemented with glutamine. Group C received a standard diet and daily 5-ASA enemas, 15 mg/ml. Group D received an elemental diet supplemented with glutamine plus daily 5-ASA enemas. Ten animals were picked at random from each group and sacrificed on the 7th, 14th and 21st days of treatment after intravenous injection of Evans blue for visualization of the damaged areas. Changes in weight and the macroscopic aspects of the abdominal cavity and the colon were evaluated and the involved segment was resected for macroscopic and microscopic analysis. The highest weight loss occurred in group D animals on the 14th and 21st days. The number of complications was larger in group A animals, with intestinal perforation, peritonitis and death (P = 0.0053). Complications were of equal intensity in groups B and C and no complications were detected in group D. Macroscopic evaluation showed a lower frequency of ulcers on the 7th day in group B (P = 0.0113) and D (P = 0.0294). Group D animals showed a significantly reduced frequency of ulcers on the 14th day (P = 0.0140). Microscopic examination showed a better evolution in groups B (P = 0.0113) and D (P = 0.0294) on the 7th day and in group D on 14th day (P = 0.0105) compared to A. We conclude that the combination of an elemental diet containing glutamine and treatment with 5-ASA leads to more rapid healing of the colon lesions induced by 10% acetic acid in rats.

Work and chronic health effects among fishermen in Chioggia, Italy

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate whether there is an association between deep-sea fishing and common chronic disease.

METHODS

The study was cross-sectional, simultaneously considering groups of fishermen and non-fishermen. Information on life-style and work was collected by means of questionnaires, and clinical data were collected by specialists in: Internal Medicine (general clinical examination), Cardiology (ECG, measurement of arterial pressure), Pneumology (measurement of spirometric volumes), ENT (clinical examination of the ear, nose and throat, including audiometry), Ophthalmology (examination of lens). Beside the common statistical methods, the logistic stepwise regression analysis was used in order to find the risk factors of the diseases, and to correct the risk estimates for the confounding variables.

RESULTS

Fisherman had prolonged hours of continuous work, which were found to be correlated with high cigarette and alcohol consumption. Significant associations were found between, on the one hand, work accidents, noise-induced hearing loss, solar keratosis, cataracts, obstructive bronchitis, rhino-sinusitis, otitis media with tympanic perforation, ECG alterations, and, on the other hand, various aspects of fisherman occupation, mainly fishing in high sea and work duration as fisherman.

CONCLUSION

Deep-sea fishing is a stressful and risky work; a reduction in the number of years at sea with reduced exposure to noise, poor weather conditions and sun, and a lower consumption of cigarettes and alcohol might result in fewer skin, eye respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and injuries.

Mortality from lung cancer and other diseases related to smoking among fishermen in north east Italy

OBJECTIVES

To study the mortality of fishermen. This was suggested by a cluster of cases of lung cancer in Chioggia, a large fishing harbour in the Veneto. The aim was to weight occupation against smoking with respect to risk of lung cancer.

METHODS

7530 fishermen registered in the 1971-86 port authority registers of Chioggia and Venice were followed up for mortality from 1971 to 1989. Of 475 causes of death, 460 were traced. Standardised mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated with the regional population as a reference. A nested case-control study was carried out in Chioggia decedents only by interviewing next of kin. Complete data were obtained in 172 (70% response). Cases (lung cancer deaths) and controls (other causes of death) were compared for smoking and occupation, as a group of non-fishermen was available in the cohort. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding factors.

RESULTS

SMRs were high for lung cancer but low for other diseases related to smoking: circulatory and respiratory disease, tumours of the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, and bladder. Likewise, SMRs were high for liver cancer but low for other diseases related to alcohol: digestive and circulatory disease, buccal, pharyngeal, and oesophageal tumours. In the case-control study, the risk of lung cancer was found to be related to smoking, and there was no interaction between occupation and smoking. When adjusted for age and smoking, the occupational indicators had no influence on the risk of mortality from lung cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

Among fishermen in north east Italy the greatest health hazard is lung cancer, and the factor involved in this risk is smoking, not occupation. Smoking, however, was linked with long hours at sea in another study.