Hydroxyl Radicals in E-Cigarette Vapor and E-Vapor Oxidative Potentials under Different Vaping Patterns

Abstract

Available studies, while limited in number, suggest that e-cigarette vaping induces oxidative stress, with one potential mechanism being the direct formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in e-vapor. In the present studies, we measured the formation of hydroxyl radical (^•OH), the most destructive ROS, in e-vapor under a range of vaping patterns (i.e., power settings, solvent concentrations, flavorings). Study results show that increased power output and puff volume correspond with the formation of significantly higher amounts of ^•OH in e-vapor because of elevated coil temperature and oxygen supply. Vegetable glycerin (VG) e-liquids generated higher ^•OH levels than propylene glycol (PG) e-liquids, as did flavored e-liquids relative to nonflavored e-liquids. E-vapor in combination with ascorbic acid, which is an abundant biological molecule in human epithelial lining fluid, can also induce ^•OH formation. The dose of radical per puff associated with e-cigarette vaping was 10-1000 times lower than the reported dose generated by cigarette smoking. However, the daily average ^•OH dose can be comparable to that from cigarette smoking depending on vaping patterns. Overall, e-cigarette users who use VG-based flavored e-cigarettes at higher power output settings may be at increased risk for ^•OH exposures and related health consequences such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.