Abstract
Background Many studies, comparing the health associated risks of electronic cigarettes with conventional cigarettes focus mainly on the common chemical compounds found between them. Aim Review chemical compounds found exclusively in electronic cigarettes and describe their toxic effects, focusing on electronic-cigarette-only and dual electronic-cigarette and conventional cigarette users. Data Sources Literature search was carried out using PubMed. Study Eligibility Criteria Articles related exclusively to conventional and electronic cigarettes' chemical composition. Articles which reported to be financed from tobacco or electronic cigarettes industries, not reporting source of funding, not related to the chemical composition of electronic and conventional cigarettes and not relevant to tobacco research were excluded. Methods and Results Chemical compounds reported in the selected studies were tabulated using the Chemical s Service registry number for chemical substances information. A total of 50 chemical compounds were exclusively reported to be present in electronic cigarettes. Crucial health risks identified were: eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation, with almost 50% of incidence, an increment of 10% in cytotoxic effects, when compared to compounds in common with conventional cigarettes and around 11% of compounds with unknown effects to human health. Limitations Articles reporting conflicts of interest. Conclusions and Implications of Key Findings Despite being considered as less harmful for human health, compounds found in electronic cigarettes are still a matter of research and their effects on health are yet unknown. The use of these devices is not recommended for first time users and it is considered hazardous for dual users.
Highlights
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been commercially available for more than a decade [1]. ey basically consist of a battery-dependent atomizer which heats uids with or without nicotine to water vapor [1]
To identify chemical compounds exclusively present in e-cigarettes, we rst performed a literature review to determine conventional cigarettes (CC) and e-cigarettes’ chemical compounds having a known impact on human health, articles which reported con icts of interest or funded by electronic and conventional cigarette manufacturers in the corresponding sections of the main article were excluded
Three health risks are the most prevailing between both groups: eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation, with almost 50% of incidence, while cardiovascular, carcinogenic, and neurotoxic e ects are reported in e-cigarettes’ exclusive compounds, which are common health e ects of CC smoking according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [42]. ere are around 11% of compounds e ects of which in human health remain unknown, and around 7.7% have been tested in animal models and proved to be harmful
Summary
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have been commercially available for more than a decade [1]. ey basically consist of a battery-dependent atomizer which heats uids with or without nicotine to water vapor [1]. Many studies worldwide have analyzed health risks associated with chemical compounds found in both e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes (CC) [4]. Despite the increase in electronic-cigarette-only users, no study has analyzed health risks associated with compounds found exclusively in e-cigarettes. Research on genotoxic and carcinogenic e ects related to e-cigarettes has been mainly focused on uid composition and metal heating [5]. Many studies, comparing the health associated risks of electronic cigarettes with conventional cigarettes focus mainly on the common chemical compounds found between them. Articles related exclusively to conventional and electronic cigarettes’ chemical composition. Articles which reported to be nanced from tobacco or electronic cigarettes industries, not reporting source of funding, not related to the chemical composition of electronic and conventional cigarettes and not relevant to tobacco research were excluded. Despite being considered as less harmful for human health, compounds found in electronic cigarettes are still a matter of research and their e ects on health are yet unknown. e use of these devices is not recommended for rst time users and it is considered hazardous for dual users
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