Carbon Monoxide and Small Hydrocarbon Emissions from Sub-ohm Electronic Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) are routinely advertised as a safer alternative to combustible cigarettes. ECIGs have been shown to emit less toxicants than conventional cigarettes. This study presents for the first time the mouthpiece emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and small hydrocarbon gases, in addition to carbonyls, from a rebuildable atomizer sub-ohm device (SOD). Because ECIGs do not involve combustion, CO emissions are commonly thought to be a negligible component of ECIG aerosols. CO exposure is a major causative agent of heart disease among smokers. Aerosol generated by vaping a solution of propylene glycol and glycerol was collected in a small chamber. The gas phase was then directed for analysis to a long-path gas cell of a Fourier transform infrared instrument under reduced pressure. The effects of power, ECIG heating coil material, and coil geometry on the generation of small gases were assessed. Results showed that small gases, including CO, carbon dioxide, methane, ethylene, and acetylene, were detected in SOD-emitted gases. Electrical power and material of construction significantly affected the concentrations of the emitted gases. Nickel metal wire was more reactive than kanthal, nichrome, and stainless steel. Depending on use patterns and device operation, users of SOD devices may be exposed daily to similar levels of CO as are cigarette smokers. This finding casts doubt on the validity of CO as a biomarker to distinguish ECIG from tobacco cigarette use and suggests that some subset of ECIG users may be at risk from CO-related heart disease.