Metal exposure from e-cigarette use: characterization and comparison of biomarkers among sole e-cigarette users, smokers, dual users, and non-users
Year: 2023
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND AIM: Metals have been detected in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) aerosol inhaled by the user. Few studies have assessed metal biomarkers and compared concentrations between users of different types of e-cigarette devices (MODs, PODs), and to smokers, dual users, and non-users. The objective was to assess metal concentrations in blood, urine, saliva, and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) across user groups. METHOD: We recruited 95 participants from April 2019 to March 2020 (41 e-cigarette users (24 POD, 17 MOD users)), 15 dual users, 9 smokers, 30 non-users). Sociodemographic characteristics, e-cigarette use and device characteristics were collected by survey. Bio-specimen samples were analyzed for heavy metals using ICP-MS. ANOVA and linear regression models on log-transformed metal concentrations to calculate geometric mean ratios (GMR) were performed. RESULTS: E-cigarette users were found to have significantly higher Ni and Cr metal concentrations in urine compared to non-users, dual users, and cigarette smokers. According to e-cigarette device types, POD users had higher urine Ni and Cr GMRs compared to non-users (GMR Cr: 1.56 (95%CI 1.41, 1.73), GMR Ni: 1.37 (95%CI 1.12, 1.68)); higher Fe in urine (p = 0.03) and in blood (GMR: 1.11 (95%CI 1.04, 1.19) was also observed. MOD users were found to have the higher Ni (p 0.001) and Cr (GMR: 1.34 (95% CI 1.11, 1.63)) metal concentrations in blood. E-cigarette users, dual users, and cigarette smokers were all found to have significantly higher As concentrations in saliva and EBC compared to non-users, with cigarette smokers having the highest concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette use represents a relevant contribution to metal exposure as exclusive e-cigarette users had higher metal biomarkers levels compared to non-users, and to cigarette smokers and dual users. Differences in device type also determine exposure to certain metals. With e-cigarettes rapidly evolving, surveillance of metal exposure and establishing standards are warranted to prevent involuntary metal exposure.
Source: ISEE Conference Abstracts
Authors: Angela Aherrera, Anna Tillery, Joyce Linn, Rui Chen, Mina Tehrani, Jana Mihalic, Ana Navas Acien, Ana Rule
Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Columbia University
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4390994487