Abstract
Objectives:Our study aims to evaluate whether the active use of the electronic cigarette (e-cig) can determine adverse effects on the respiratory function of healthy workers and whether potentially dangerous pollutants are released in the air.Methods:Thirty healthy workers (seventeen men and thirteen women, age range 27-37) were included in the study. Immediately before and after a 5-minute smoking session performed in two different days (first-day e-cig, second-day tobacco cigarette [t-cig]), they underwent spirometry evaluation. Furthermore, environmental particle monitoring was performed during the experimental procedure (i.e.before, during and after active smoking).Results:Our study showed slight reductions in the main pulmonary function data both after active e-cig and t-cig smoking. Changes in the main respiratory parameters were significantly different than baseline after 1 minute from e-cigarette smoking (3,95vs3,91 lt for FEV:P=0,03; 0,84vs0,83 for FEV1/FVC ratio:P=0,008; 4,23vs3,99 lt/min for FEF25-75%: P=0,03) but not after 15 minutes from active e-cigarette smoking, whereas after t-cig smoking, there was a significant drop in the 15 min value of FEV1(P=, FEF25-75% (P=0.01) and the FEV1/FVC ratio (P=0.007).Regarding environmental exposure, the e-cig smoking was associated with the transient release of particles with a diameter < 1 micron which dropped to baseline after 5 minutes, whereas in the case of t-cig, the particles persisted for 60 min.Conclusion:In this study, the active use of e-cig for a short time caused similar, although less pronounced effects as tobacco smoke on the pulmonary function. Similarly, the particles released in the environment had lower concentration and persistence than those of t-cig. These data suggest that e-cig may potentially be dangerous for active smokers and the environment. Long-term studies seem warranted to discover the health effects of active and passive exposure to e-cig.
Highlights
A significant decrease in comparison to baseline was observed in tobacco smokers in FEV1 1 and 15 minutes after t-cigarette smoking (P=0,005 and P=0,05)
Only few studies evaluated the lung function changes related to e-cig exposure and the consequential impact on the indoor air quality in the workplace based on the evaluation of air pollutants produced comparatively by both tobacco and e-cigarette smoking task
We found no significant onset of obstruction patterns in the exposed healthy volunteers and non-significant changes in FEV1 in the e-cig group
Summary
Both active and environmental tobacco smoking may cause relevant changes in respiratory function [1], and many diseases sometimes even fatal [2 - 6] These effects seem to be due to several harmful substances and carcinogens released after the combustion process that underlies the operation of traditional cigarettes.1874-9445/18 2018 Bentham OpenSmoking Electronic CigarettesThe Open Public Health Journal, 2018, Volume 11 361The e-cigs have been proposed in recent years both as a safe alternative to t-cigs and as an aid for smoking cessation [7].These new devices are reminiscent in design and use gestures to conventional cigarettes, diverging for substances in their liquid pocket which are released through a process of vaporization [8 - 14], in place of the combustion process of t-cigs.The absence of tobacco and combustion process would suggest the absence of typical releasing of toxic substances found in tobacco smoke, and the lack of adverse health effects. The e-cigs have been proposed in recent years both as a safe alternative to t-cigs and as an aid for smoking cessation [7]. These new devices are reminiscent in design and use gestures to conventional cigarettes, diverging for substances in their liquid pocket which are released through a process of vaporization [8 - 14], in place of the combustion process of t-cigs. Many issues are causing concern for public health, such as the risk of backsliding the habit of tobacco smoking for ex-smokers, to start smoking cigarette for young people, and to lead to nicotine addiction. The risk may be higher for young people given the easy retrieval of these items through the Internet market [15].
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