Physico-Chemical Characterization of Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted by Electronic Cigarettes and Heat-Not-Burn Products, Compared to a Reference Tobacco Cigarette

Abstract

The electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a battery-powered nicotine delivery system. This device provides nicotine by inhalation into the respiratory system following the vaporization of an e-liquid, constituted of nicotine and flavors diluted in a solvent. Presented as a safer alternative to conventional tobacco cigarette, e-cigarettes have gained popularity worldwide over the past 10 years. More recently, a range of new products, in which tobacco is heated instead of burnt, were introduced into the market by several manufacturers. Intensive research is currently ongoing to assess the impact of these new products on air quality and human health, and thus to help policy makers to introduce regulations on their use in indoor environments.

In this study, we measured the concentration, chemical composition and size distribution of particles, as well as volatile organic compounds, in the mainstream emissions of a selected list of e-cigarettes (Puritane) and heat-not-burn tobacco products (iQOS, Ploom Tech), compared to those from a reference conventional tobacco cigarette (3R4F). The particle number concentrations and size distributions were measured with a fast mobility particle sizer (FMPS), while mass concentrations and size distributions were determined with a nano micro-orifice uniform-deposit impactor (Nano-MOUDI). Particles sampled with the Nano-MOUDI were also extracted with methanol, and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine their chemical composition. Finally, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were sampled with adsorbing cartridges (Tenax TA, Carboxen 569), and analyzed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS), while the total hydrocarbon concentration was measured with a flame ionization detector (FID).

During each puff, the particle number concentration was approximately the same for all the products, between 1E+06 and 2E+06 #/cm3. Particles emitted by all the products were totally dominated by submicron particles. However, those emitted by the conventional cigarette were slightly larger than those from the Puritane and iQOS (mode at 220 nm for 3R4F, vs. 150 nm for Puritane and iQOS), while the size distribution of particles emitted by the Ploom Tech was very broad, ranging from 10 to 200 nm. VOCs concentrations were 6 times higher with the conventional cigarette than with the Puritane and iQOS, and more than 100 times higher than with Ploom Tech. A wide range of mono-aromatic (mainly benzene- and furan-derivatives) and oxygenated compounds were identified in gaseous emissions of the conventional cigarette. Most of these compounds were also present in the iQOS, but in much lower concentrations, while VOCs emitted by the Puritane were mainly constituted of oxygenated compounds and alkanes. Toxicological and air quality studies are still needed to determine whether these new products really reduce risks for users and bystanders.

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Physico-Chemical Characterization of Particles and Volatile Organic
Compounds Emitted by Electronic Cigarettes and Heat-Not-Burn
Products, Compared to a Reference Tobacco Cigarette
ARI SETYAN, Tobias Bührer, Florence Leuzinger, Woranan Netkueakul, Michael Patrick,
Jing Wang, ETH Zürich / Empa, Switzerland
Abstract Number: 1181
Working Group: Indoor Aerosols
Abstract
The electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a battery-powered nicotine delivery system. This
device provides nicotine by inhalation into the respiratory system following the
vaporization of an e-liquid, constituted of nicotine and flavors diluted in a solvent.
Presented as a safer alternative to conventional tobacco cigarette, e-cigarettes have
gained popularity worldwide over the past 10 years. More recently, a range of new
products, in which tobacco is heated instead of burnt, were introduced into the market by
several manufacturers. Intensive research is currently ongoing to assess the impact of
these new products on air quality and human health, and thus to help policy makers to
introduce regulations on their use in indoor environments.
In this study, we measured the concentration, chemical composition and size distribution
of particles, as well as volatile organic compounds, in the mainstream emissions of a
selected list of e-cigarettes (Puritane) and heat-not-burn tobacco products (iQOS, Ploom
Tech), compared to those from a reference conventional tobacco cigarette (3R4F). The
particle number concentrations and size distributions were measured with a fast mobility
particle sizer (FMPS), while mass concentrations and size distributions were determined
with a nano micro-orifice uniform-deposit impactor (Nano-MOUDI). Particles sampled with
the Nano-MOUDI were also extracted with methanol, and analyzed by gas
chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine their chemical composition.
Finally, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were sampled with adsorbing cartridges
(Tenax TA, Carboxen 569), and analyzed by thermal desorption-gas
chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS), while the total hydrocarbon
concentration was measured with a flame ionization detector (FID).
During each puff, the particle number concentration was approximately the same for all
the products, between 1·10 and 2·10 #/cm . Particles emitted by all the products were
totally dominated by submicron particles. However, those emitted by the conventional
cigarette were slightly larger than those from the Puritane and iQOS (mode at 220 nm for
3R4F, vs. 150 nm for Puritane and iQOS), while the size distribution of particles emitted
by the Ploom Tech was very broad, ranging from 10 to 200 nm. VOCs concentrations were
6 times higher with the conventional cigarette than with the Puritane and iQOS, and more
than 100 times higher than with Ploom Tech. A wide range of mono-aromatic (mainly
benzene- and furan-derivatives) and oxygenated compounds were identified in gaseous
emissions of the conventional cigarette. Most of these compounds were also present in the
iQOS, but in much lower concentrations, while VOCs emitted by the Puritane were mainly
constituted of oxygenated compounds and alkanes. Toxicological and air quality studies
are still needed to determine whether these new products really reduce risks for users and
bystanders.
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