Effects of Commercial Grade E-Cigarette Liquid Ratios and Nicotine content on the Gravimetric Filter Correction Factors and Real-Time Measurements

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dc.access.optionRestricted Campus Access Only
dc.contributor.advisorSousan, Sinan
dc.contributor.authorTart, Amelia G
dc.contributor.authorWalker, Daniel
dc.contributor.departmentBiology
dc.date.accessioned2024-08-30T16:55:06Z
dc.date.created2024-05
dc.date.issued2024-05-02
dc.date.submittedMay 2024
dc.date.updated2024-07-29T15:07:26Z
dc.degree.departmentBiology
dc.degree.disciplineBiology
dc.degree.grantorEast Carolina University
dc.degree.levelUndergraduate
dc.degree.nameBS
dc.description.abstractElectronic cigarettes (ECIGs) generate high concentrations of particulate matter (PM). ECIG’s are a threat to public health as the PM affects the air quality that is inhaled through second hand exposure by humans. ECIG liquids are available to be purchased commercially with varying concentrations of chemical ingredients, including nicotine, propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). The PM concentrations in ECIG aerosol generated from these liquids containing the different PG/VG ratios have been quantified in previous studies. However, it is important to determine the effects of these ratios and nicotine concentration on the filter correction factors by the aerosol instruments needed to accurately measure PM concentrations. The effects of these ratios combined with nicotine on the filter correction factors has not been assessed. ECIG aerosol filter correction factors for the aerosol instruments (SMPS + APS, pDR), were determined for five different PG/VG ratios 1) 0PG/100VG, 2) 30 PG/70 VG, 3) 50 PG/50 VG, 4) 70 PG/30 VG, 5) 80 PG/20 VG with four different nicotine strengths (0mg, 9 mg, 24 mg, 48 mg) and one PM size, PM2.5 (2.5 um and smaller). The ECIG aerosols were generated using a diaphragm pump and a refillable ECIG device for all ratios inside of a controlled exposure chamber. The aerosol size distribution and mass median diameter were measured for all five ECIG ratios and nicotine strengths. The data collected after 20 trials did not exhibit previously determined patterns of PG and VG distribution. Therefore, the filter correction factors determined cannot be deemed reliable. It was determined that the commercial grade products employed in the experiment were not the true ratios as they were labelled. The products will be tested for chemical composure for further evaluation. This study suggests that there is a larger public health concern in that manufactures are likely mislabeling their products.
dc.embargo.lift2026-05-01
dc.embargo.terms2026-05-01
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10342/13740
dc.subjectPublic Health
dc.subjectElectronic Cigarettes
dc.subjectParticulate matter
dc.subjectPG/VG ratios
dc.subjectFilter Correction Factors
dc.titleEffects of Commercial Grade E-Cigarette Liquid Ratios and Nicotine content on the Gravimetric Filter Correction Factors and Real-Time Measurements
dc.typeHonors Thesis
dc.type.materialtext

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