Analysis of refill liquids for electronic cigarettes

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are increasingly popular, raising concerns about the chemical composition of their refill liquids.
• Understanding the purity of these liquids is crucial for assessing potential health risks associated with e-cigarette use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify nicotine, nicotine degradation products, and specific impurities in commercial e-cigarette refill liquids.
• To compare measured levels against established safety standards.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 20 e-cigarette refill liquid models from 10 major brands.
• Utilized gas and liquid chromatography techniques.
• Assessed nicotine content, degradation products, impurities, and the presence of glycols.

Main Results:

• Nicotine content closely aligned with product labeling.
• Nicotine degradation products were found at low levels (0-4.4% of nicotine), with most samples below 2%.
• Common impurities included cis-N-oxide, trans-N-oxide, myosmine, anatabine, and anabasine; ethylene and diethylene glycol were not detected.

Conclusions:

• Commercial e-cigarette refill liquids exhibit accurate nicotine labeling.
• Detectable impurities in some brands exceed European Pharmacopoeia standards for nicotine products but are considered unlikely to cause harm.