Potential harmful health effects of inhaling nicotine-free shisha-pen vapor: a chemical risk assessment of the main components propylene glycol and glycerol

Tobacco Induced Diseases

Reinskje Talhout¹  Walther N Klerx¹  Hans WJM Cremers¹  Peter MJ Bos¹  Lya G Soeteman-Hernandez¹  Anne S Kienhuis¹ 

[1] National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, 3720 BA, The Netherlands

关键词: Glycerol;    Propylene glycol;    Chemical risk assessment;    E-cigarettes;    Shisha-pen;   

Others  :  1218636
DOI  :  10.1186/s12971-015-0038-7

 received in 2014-02-17, accepted in 2015-04-25,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

A shisha-pen is an electronic cigarette variant that is advertised to mimic the taste of a water pipe, or shisha. The aim of this study was to assess the potential harmful health effects caused by inhaling the vapor of a nicotine-free shisha-pen.

Methods

Gas chromatography analysis was performed to determine the major components in shisha-pen vapor. Risk assessment was performed using puff volumes of e-cigarettes and “normal” cigarettes and a 1-puff scenario (one-time exposure). The concentrations that reached the airways and lungs after using a shisha-pen were calculated and compared to data from published toxicity studies.

Results

The main components in shisha-pen vapor are propylene glycol and glycerol (54%/46%). One puff (50 to 70 mL) results in exposure of propylene glycol and glycerol of 430 to 603 mg/m ³and 348 to 495 mg/m ³ , respectively. These exposure concentrations were higher than the points of departure for airway irritation based on a human study (propylene glycol, mean concentration of 309 mg/m ³ ) and a rat study (glycerol, no-observed adverse effect level of 165 mg/m ³ ).

Conclusions

Already after one puff of the shisha-pen, the concentrations of propylene glycol and glycerol are sufficiently high to potentially cause irritation of the airways. New products such as the shisha-pen should be detected and risks should be assessed to inform regulatory actions aimed at limiting potential harm that may be caused to consumers and protecting young people to take up smoking.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Kienhuis et al.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

【 参考文献 】

• [1]Cheah NP, Chong NW, Tan J, Morsed FA, Yee SK. Electronic nicotine delivery systems: regulatory and safety challenges: Singapore perspective. Tob Control. 2012. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2012-050483.
• [2]Gelderlander. 8-jarigen roken nepsigaretten op schoolplein. De Gelderlander. 2013
• [3]Bos P, Hernandez L, Mennes W, Kienhuis A, Talhout R. Risk assessment of tobacco additives and smoke components. National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). 2012. Contract No.: 340031001
• [4]Soeteman-Hernandez LG, Bos PM, Talhout R. Tobacco smoke-related health effects induced by 1,3-butadiene and strategies for risk reduction. Toxicol Sci. 2013; 136(2):566-80.
• [5]Djordjevic MV, Stellman SD, Zang E. Doses of nicotine and lung carcinogens delivered to cigarette smokers. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000; 92(2):106-11.
• [6]Goniewicz ML, Kuma T, Gawron M, Knysak J, Kosmider L. Nicotine levels in electronic cigarettes. Nicotine Tob Res. 2013; 15(1):158-66.
• [7]Bos PMJ, Hernandez LG, Mennes WC, Kienhuis AS, Talhout R. Risk assessment of tobacco additives and smoke components. RIVM letter rapport 340031001/2012. 2012. http://www. rivm.nl/en/Library/Scientific/Reports/2012/oktober/Risk_assessment_of_tobacco_additives_and_smoke_components_a_method_proposal webcite
• [8]Etter JF. Electronic cigarettes: a survey of users. BMC Public Health. 2010; 10:231.
• [9]Etter JF, Bullen C. Electronic cigarette: users profile, utilization, satisfaction and perceived efficacy. Addiction. 2011; 106(11):2017-28.
• [10]Tobacco additives: information for professionals. 2012.
• [11]FDA. GRAS Substances (SCOGS) Database. 2013. http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/SCOGS/default.htm. 2013.
• [12]Toxicological profile for propylene glycol: US Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service. 1997.
• [13]Renne RA, Wehner AP, Greenspan BJ, Deford HS, Ragan HA, Westerberg RB et al.. 2-Week and 13-week inhalation studies of aerosolized glycerol in rats. Inhal Toxicol. 1992; 4(2):95-111.
• [14]Suber RL, Deskin R, Nikiforov I, Fouillet X, Coggins CR. Subchronic nose-only inhalation study of propylene glycol in Sprague–Dawley rats. Food Chem Toxicol: Intl J Pub Br Ind Bio Res Assoc. 1989; 27(9):573-83.
• [15]Wieslander G, Norback D, Lindgren T. Experimental exposure to propylene glycol mist in aviation emergency training: acute ocular and respiratory effects. Occup Environ Med. 2001; 58(10):649-55.
• [16]Health-Council-of-The-Netherlands. Health Council of the Netherlands. Propylene glycol (1,2-Propanediol); Health-based recommended occupational exposure limit. The Hague: Health Council of the Netherlands publication no. 2007/02osh. 2007. http://www. gezondheidsraad.nl/sites/default/files/200702osh.pdf webcite
• [17]HCN. The Health Council of the Netherlands. Propylene glycol (1,2-Propanediol); Health-baded recommended occupational exposure limit. 2007. http://www. gezondheidsraad.nl/sites/default/files/200702osh.pdf webcite
• [18]ToxNet. Toxicology Data Network on Propylene Glycol. 2013; http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+174.
• [19]Renne R. 2-Week and 13-week inhalation studies of aerosolized glycerol in rats. Inhal Toxicol. 1992; 4:95-111.