Analysis of e-liquids for electronic cigarettes using GC-IMS/MS with headspace sampling

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Health
• Toxicology

Background:

• Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are increasingly popular, perceived as safer than traditional cigarettes.
• European and German regulations restrict harmful substances in e-cigarette products.
• Accurate detection and quantification methods are needed to ensure compliance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a method for detecting and quantifying substances in e-liquids regulated by European directive 2014/40/EU.
• To assess the presence of restricted substances in commercially available e-liquids.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a gas chromatograph with ion mobility spectrometer (GC-IMS) coupled with a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS).
• Employed headspace (HS) for sample preparation.
• Determined limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) for target analytes.

Main Results:

• The developed method achieved LODs from 8 to 70 μg/L and LOQs from 25 to 200 μg/L.
• All 20 analyzed e-liquid samples contained substances listed in the directive.
• Estragole, a regulated substance, was detected in two of the analyzed samples.

Conclusions:

• The GC-IMS/GC-MS method is effective for analyzing regulated substances in e-liquids.
• Commercial e-liquids may contain restricted or forbidden substances, necessitating regulatory oversight.
• The findings highlight the importance of robust analytical methods for consumer product safety.