Triacetin Enhances Levels of Acrolein, Formaldehyde Hemiacetals, and Acetaldehyde in Electronic Cigarette Aerosols

Abstract

C NMR, we were able to identify that ester hydrolysis of TA occurs to form acetic acid (HOAc) during aerosolization. The released HOAc acts as a catalyst in the degradation of propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (GLY), increasing the formation of formaldehyde hemiacetals, acrolein, and acetaldehyde. A solution of 10% TA in 1:1 PG/GLY e-liquid was aerosolized using two different e-cigarettes at two wattages. Each device exhibited a significant increase in aldehyde levels, of up to 185% compared to the aerosol from a 1:1 PG/GLY e-liquid. In addition, the GLY formaldehyde hemiacetal was more predominant within the presence of HOAc, indicating that GLY may be relatively more prone to degradation from protonation.