![Author ORCID: We display the ORCID iD icon alongside authors names on our website to acknowledge that the ORCiD has been authenticated when entered by the user. To view the users ORCiD record click the icon. [opens in a new tab]](https://chemrxiv.org/engage/assets/public/chemrxiv/images/logos/orcid.png)
Abstract
The concentrations of elements/metals, nicotine, flavor chemicals and acids were com-pared in the
e-liquids of unused and used first-generation electronic cigarettes (ECs) that were stored for 5-10
years. Metal analysis was done using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy;
nicotine and flavor chemical analysis were measured using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Of
22 elements analyzed, 10 (aluminum, chromium, copper, iron, lead, nickel, selenium, silicon, tin,
zinc) were often in the e-liquids. Five elements had the highest average concentrations: copper
(1,161.6 mg/L), zinc (295.8 mg/L), tin (287.6 mg/L), nickel (71.1 mg/L), and lead (50.3 mg/L).
Nicotine concentrations were always lower than label concentrations. Of 181 flavor chemicals
analyzed, 11 were measured in at least one sample, with hydroxyacetone being present in all
samples. In used products, some flavor chemicals appeared to be byproducts of heating. E-liquids
with the highest concentrations of acids and lowest pHs also had the highest concentrations of
elements/metals. Metal concentrations in e-liquids increased after use in some products, and some
metal concentrations, such as nickel, were high enough to be a health concern. Leachates from
discarded ECs could contribute toxic metals/chemicals to the environment sup-porting the need for
better regulation of atomizer design, composition, and disposal.
Supplementary materials
Title
Supplemental Material
Description
Table of Contents
Supplemental Table 1: EC selection and materials list.
Running conditions for ICP-OES and GC/MS
Supplemental Table 2-4. Brand, sample, average element concentrations and total concentrations (mg/L)
Supplemental Table 5. Individual element concentration ranges for aged unused and used EC fluid
Supplemental Table 6. Brands which had the elements with the highest concentrations.
Supplemental Table 7. Element, brand, sample type, highest concentration in alphabetical and decreasing order.
Supplemental Figures 1-22. Individual element concentrations in unused, gently used, and heavily used first generation EC fluid.
Supplemental Table 8. Correlation between elements in unused (U), gently used (G), and heavily used (H) e-liquid and elements in EC atomizers.
Supplemental Table 9. Flavor chemicals and acids in aged unused and used e-liquids that were below LOQ or not detected
Supplemental Table 10. Concentrations of elements in fluid (μg/mg)
Supplemental Table 11. Element/metal concentrations (mg/L) in cigarette butts (CB) and EC cartomizers
Actions
