Second-hand Effects of Electronic Cigarette Use
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Date
2022-05-04
Access
2025-05-01
Authors
Mooring, Ronald E
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
East Carolina University
Abstract
Introduction: Electronic cigarette (ECIG) use is increasing in popularity among youth and puts both users and bystanders at risk of inhaling harmful substances. Two experiments were conducted to examine ECIG emissions, one being in the laboratory and the other in a field setting.
Methods: The laboratory experiment analyzed differences in emissions from the popular ECIG JUUL using a variety of puffing procedures. The selected puffing procedures were designed to simulate real-world use in which a JUUL user removes and reinserts the disposable pod between puffs. The field experiment consisted of participants vaping in their vehicles for 30-minute sessions. This provided discrete and real-time measurements of Particulate Matter (PM) mass concentrations for a passenger’s secondhand exposure to the driver’s ECIG use.
Results: Results of the laboratory experiment demonstrated how removing and reinserting the JUUL pod increases PMM2.5 emissions. Mean real-time PM2.5 mass concentration was 65.06 µg/m3 for experiment 1, 375.50 µg/m3 for experiment 2, 501.94 µg/m3 for experiment 3, and 834.69 µg/m3 for experiment 4. Results of the field experiment demonstrated that across 41 sessions, the average PM2.5 mass concentration was 214 µg/m3, and the average PM1 mass concentration was 187.3 µg/m3. The average PM2.5 mass concentration is 45 times higher than the average of the 7 control experiments.
Discussion: The laboratory experiment emphasizes the major impact puffing protocols have on JUUL emissions. In every experiment, PM2.5 emissions increased after the JUUL pod was inserted into the device. As a result, ECIG emissions should be evaluated using puffing protocols that take these real-world behaviors into account. Furthermore, the field experiment demonstrates how engaging in ECIG use in vehicles exposes passengers to increased levels of PM1 and PM2.5 concentrations. This ultimately puts passengers at significant health risk