ORIGINAL PAPER
Testing of the composition of e-cigarette liquids – Manufacturer-declared vs. true contents
in a selected series of products
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Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera / Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland
(Zakład Bezpieczeństwa Chemicznego / Department of Chemical Hazard)
Corresponding author
Wiktor Wesołowski
Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera, Zakład Bezpieczeństwa Chemicznego, ul. św. Teresy 8, 91-348 Łodź
Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2016;67(2):239-53
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ABSTRACT
Background: Electronic cigarettes are currently in common use. However, in Poland there is no specific legislation governing the
sale of these products. At the same time, no information has been made public about the hazards e-cigarettes pose to the users and
bystanders − passive smokers. The aim of the study was to determine the qualitative composition of the analyzed liquid, which is
an essential element of regulating the distribution of such cigarettes. Material and Methods: Under this study the method for determining
the composition of e-cigarette liquids was developed. This method employs gas chromatography with mass spectrometry
(GC-MS). Levels of nicotine and flavoring components were determined in 50 e-liquid samples. The results were compared with the information
provided by the manufacturer on the packaging. Results: The applied method of qualitative determination helped to identify
the main ingredients, such as nicotine and propylene glycol (PG). Propylene glycol was found to be present in all liquids, because it was
used as the solvent for nicotine and flavors. There was a good agreement between the declared and the determined content of nicotine in
the analyzed samples. The agreement was considerably poorer for the remaining e-liquid ingredients, mainly flavors. Conclusions: There
was no agreement between the flavor substances specified by the manufacturer and aroma identified in the e-cigarette liquid, which may
pose a risk to users of e-cigarettes, particularly those susceptible to allergies. Several unsaturated aliphatic alcohols and aldehydes found to
be present in the liquids, unstable at elevated temperatures, may be more harmful to the smoker than the original compounds. Therefore,
it is essential to implement in Poland the legal provisions regarding e-cigarettes. Med Pr 2016;67(2):239–253