E-cigarettes produce far fewer harmful substances than cigarettes. But those that are produced are influenced by factors such as power, flavorings and the design of the burner.
This is the result of a US study.
[updated March 2023]
The vapor from an e-cigarette contains between 125 and 10 000 times lower concentrations of carcinogenic aldehydes, compared to the smoke from a cigarette. This is according to researchers from Rutgers University in the US, in a study of various health risks of electronic cigarettes. At the same time, the concentration of potentially harmful substances is highly dependent on how the vaporizer handles e-juice and heat.
E-cigarettes in real life conditions
The research is based on previous studies, supplemented by 23 test participants who were allowed to use two different e-cigarettes, with different flavors and effects, but with the same coil (0.8 ohm bottom-fed vaporizer between 6 and 30 watts).
"The tests were conducted in the same way as e-cigarettes are used in everyday life, with different puffing patterns and time intervals. Several previous studies have not taken sufficient account of real-life conditions, and this is important for understanding the real risks," the researchers write.
Avoiding burning the wicks
Previous tests have shown that the coil is capable of transporting e-liquid, plays a major role in the formation of aldehydes. An older type of coil, small top-fed vaporizers where the wick material sucks up e-juice from below, does not transport the e-juice fast enough, the researchers note. When the liquid evaporates quickly, at higher powers, the risk of the material drying out and starting to glow increases. A so-called "dry hit" occurs. Something that most vejpers note by a strong burnt taste and pain in the throat. In such cases, the amount of aldehydes increases significantly.
But this does not reflect "normal" conditions, the researchers say, as users do not usually use a coil that tastes burnt.
Modern coils are safer
In their tests they used instead more modern burners, where the growth takes place from the bottom of the coil. These proved to handle the heat much better. No matter what temperature the researchers exposed the coils to, they consistently produced significantly fewer aldehydes than can be measured in cigarette smoke.
"At the same time, the results show that the concentration of aldehydes increases with power, although they remain well below the concentration in cigarette smoke," the researchers write.
Different tastes affect risks
At the same time, the researchers compared different flavors in the e-juice. All the flavors tested came from the essence company The Perfumer's Apprentice (TPA). It was found that flavors such as strawberry (strawberry) and dragon fruit (dragonfruit) tended to form more formaldehyde than creamy flavors (like Bavarian cream and sweet cream). Menthol was in the middle along with gum and cinnamon.
No risk of popcorn lung
The researchers also measured the amount diacetyl (a butter flavor) in the different flavorings, in particular Bavarian cream and sweet cream. Diacetyl has been topical in the debate on e-cigarettes. The substance has properties that can cause so-called "popcorn lung". However, the disease, which is similar to COPD, has never been found in either vejp users or smokers. This is despite the fact that cigarette smoke contains a very high concentration of the substance diacetyl.
"Although several e-juice manufacturers have replaced the diacetyl with other butter flavors, these can also form diacetyl when heated," the researchers write.
But even here, they only found smaller concentrations, well below the levels associated with absolute health risks.
PG more sensitive than VG
Finally, the researchers measured the difference between propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, which makes up 99% of e-juice. Glycerine starts to degrade and form aldehydes at 200 degrees. Propylene glycol, on the other hand, starts reacting at 127 degrees, which affects the risk of higher concentrations of aldehydes earlier.
"High PG e-juices can produce up to 200 times more aldehydes than higher VG juices. This was constant regardless of the effect," the researchers write.
Want to regulate power and content
According to the researchers, regulators should look more at studies looking at e-cigarettes under real conditions. They argue that regulation should focus more on controlling the power of certain devices, but also control the PG content of certain e-juices. At the same time, they note that e-cigarettes have a significant health impact on smokers. They have shown a clear harm reduction effect.
"At the same time, 1TP8 users should be aware that the harm reduction effect varies depending on how they use the products, the type of coil they use and what is in the e-juice. Some substances may have effects even at low levels," the researchers write.
"Ignorance of legislators"
Niklas Linder, an e-juice developer who runs the company Swedish Mixology in Motala, says the study is important for understanding the relative risks of e-cigarettes.
"It is positive news that all types of modern e-cigarettes are significantly healthier than traditional tobacco smoking. That said, there are different levels of risk even within the e-cigarette range. But research shows that the absolute best thing for nicotine users who use e-cigarettes is to have a modern e-cigarette that focuses on more nicotine in the liquid and less power in the device," says Niklas Linder.
It's a message he hopes will influence politicians who legislate on e-cigarettes in the future.
"Unfortunately, we see a lot of ignorance from legislators; today, the state penalizes nicotine, which is probably the most studied and proven least dangerous component of the equation. We also have severe restrictions on nicotine content, 20mg/ml. This makes products that can provide users with enough nicotine at lower effects less attractive. To ensure users get a reasonable dose of nicotine, we instead use more powerful devices, which deliver much more vapor, thus increasing health risks. Niklas Linder.
Hello! I have read some articles regarding flavors and their influence on the health of the body. I was a little worried when I found articles in English that indicate that Menthol and Mint are the most dangerous flavors due to various reasons. These are my go to flavors that I use daily. When I then search for more information about different flavors and their alleged dangers to the respiratory system in particular, I am struck by the fact that it is probably possible to find information that each separate flavor is dangerous in one way or another. Just in your article above, strawberry flavor is highlighted. In addition to articles on Menthol and mint, I have also noticed that vanilla and Cinnamon are highlighted as extra dangerous.
I have not been source-critical in this, but have only taken note of information that seems to abound and can conclude that there does not seem to be a greater connection between taste and damage to the body in the shorter term. What is your view? Could it be good to try to switch to another flavor? I mainly use the combination of Vaporesso Xros mini and 12 mg nicotine.
Thank you in advance
Sincerely, Caffeine
Hi Koffan. Thanks for the comment!
The article highlights what the researchers address in their study, that is, what was relevant to the analysis. They mainly look at aldehydes, i.e. substances that are formed when heated. Cinnamon is included in the analysis, but it produces fewer aldehydes than, for example, strawberry flavors. Or rather the chemicals that make up strawberry flavors (they don't go into more depth, unfortunately). Menthol or kooling affects the airways in the same way as a throat lozenge. It scratches, but is not particularly harmful really, the cells affected are temporarily dilated (what causes the scratch) and then heal together. Smaller tests have been done to compare how cells are affected by steam with menthol and smoke with menthol. The steamed cells recovered quite quickly. The smoked cells could not be measured because they died. Menthol is also not mutagenic, meaning that the substance itself does not cause cancer.
So if you like menthol - and it's an important part of the experience that keeps you smoke-free - keep it up. If it's not important - cut back on it 😉
That said. In fact, it's not the flavorings that you should focus on, it's easily simplified and basically not very fruitful (pun intended). 99% of the juice consists of other substances: glycerine and propylene glycol. And these substances also form aldehydes. However, the simple truth is that the concentration of these aldehydes (which are linked to cancer) is so low that they pose no greater health risk than, for example, city air or other background noise.
However, if you are concerned about the health risks of vejp smoking, you should reduce the amount of aldehydes in the first place - and you do this by lowering the power of vejp (less heating, fewer aldehydes). Perhaps compensate with a higher nicotine content, as these two factors together affect the experience.
And further: aldehydes are formed in large quantities when you vejp on a burnt coil, or when the e-liquid and wick material are overheated (above 300 degrees without sufficient airflow to cool the process). There are also certain flavorings that affect the coil burning faster. Sweeteners are the main culprit, as well as some other substances (e.g. cinnamon, various tobacco flavors, chocolate, etc.). The consistency of the juice in relation to the wick's ability to guide the juice to the coil also plays a role. The researchers note that pg forms aldehydes earlier than vg in general. But that means very little if the vg makes the juice so sluggish that it cannot get to the coil and thus causes overheating (dry wick = combustion) - THEN we're talking aldehydes compared to smoking (as well as a huge cough and very, VERY unpleasant taste). So don't be afraid to use PG. The result will be a better functioning vejp that is very safe in this context.
If you want a more scientific review, I recommend the UK Public Health Agency report (compiled annually by University College London) and the discussion paper by the Committee on toxicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment on menthol. They have similar analyses for cinnmaldhyde (cinnamon) and vanilla.
Nicotine vaping in England: an
evidence update including health
risks and perceptions, 2022
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/633469fc8fa8f5066d28e1a2/Nicotine-vaping-in-England-2022-report.pdf
COMMITTEE ON TOXICITY OF CHEMICALS IN FOOD, CONSUMER PRODUCTS
AND THE ENVIRONMENT (COT)
https://cot.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2020-09/Mased%20accessible%20TOX%202019-48.pdf
Thank you very much for the very detailed and informative comment and feedback. I'm beginning to think it's fruitless 😉 to search further in the google jungle of (its) information.
I am grateful that you and your website limit the range of information to what is essential and which means that I feel more confident with my vaping. And that I become more curious to test myself to a combination that feels good both now and in the long run.
mvh Koffan/Kristoffer