Use the Following Article & Your Letter Clues to Answer the Final Question Below
Use the Following Article & Your Letter Clues to Answer the Final Question Below
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Chemicals in E-Liquids
Chemicals in E-Liquids
by Elise Hickman, PhD Candidate
Lab of Dr. Ilona Jaspers
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
E-liquids used for vaping are complex chemical mixtures! They contain nicotine and flavoring chemicals dissolved into propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. When the e-liquid is heated up, even more chemicals can be formed as the chemicals in the liquid break down. When propylene glycol is heated, it can break down into acetaldehyde and formaldehyde. You may have heard of these chemicals before because of their association with cancer – formaldehyde is known to cause cancer and acetaldehyde may also cause cancer.
E-liquids used for vaping are complex chemical mixtures! They contain nicotine and flavoring chemicals dissolved into propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. When the e-liquid is heated up, even more chemicals can be formed as the chemicals in the liquid break down. When propylene glycol is heated, it can break down into acetaldehyde and formaldehyde. You may have heard of these chemicals before because of their association with cancer – formaldehyde is known to cause cancer and acetaldehyde may also cause cancer.
These chemicals are found not only found in vaped e-liquids. For example, when someone drinks alcohol, their body produces acetaldehyde as a byproduct of detoxifying the alcohol in their blood. Acetaldehyde can then damage cells in organs such as the liver and kidneys. Formaldehyde is often used in products such as building materials, adhesives, and cosmetics (particularly hair smoothing products). Formaldehyde is also used in solutions for preserving animals or tissues – you may have experienced this if you’ve ever dissected anything in biology class!
These chemicals are found not only found in vaped e-liquids. For example, when someone drinks alcohol, their body produces acetaldehyde as a byproduct of detoxifying the alcohol in their blood. Acetaldehyde can then damage cells in organs such as the liver and kidneys. Formaldehyde is often used in products such as building materials, adhesives, and cosmetics (particularly hair smoothing products). Formaldehyde is also used in solutions for preserving animals or tissues – you may have experienced this if you’ve ever dissected anything in biology class!
When thinking about chemicals that are potentially toxic, it is important to remember that the level of toxicity depends on the level of chemical exposure, the route of exposure (through food/drink, skin contact, or inhalation), and the length of time of exposure. For example, while we all love salt in our food, too much salt (several tablespoons) can be lethal, and we all know that drinking saltwater is bad for you as well. So, when you vape, what is your level of exposure to chemicals such as acetaldehyde and formaldehyde? To answer that question, a recent study measured the amount of twelve different chemicals in the exhaled breath of people before and after they vaped. Scientists found that there were more aldehydes in exhaled breath after vaping than before. They also found that the amount of aldehyde in exhaled breath was much lower than in e-cigarette aerosol, meaning that some of the chemicals were likely deposited in the respiratory tract.
When thinking about chemicals that are potentially toxic, it is important to remember that the level of toxicity depends on the level of chemical exposure, the route of exposure (through food/drink, skin contact, or inhalation), and the length of time of exposure. For example, while we all love salt in our food, too much salt (several tablespoons) can be lethal, and we all know that drinking saltwater is bad for you as well. So, when you vape, what is your level of exposure to chemicals such as acetaldehyde and formaldehyde? To answer that question, a recent study measured the amount of twelve different chemicals in the exhaled breath of people before and after they vaped. Scientists found that there were more aldehydes in exhaled breath after vaping than before. They also found that the amount of aldehyde in exhaled breath was much lower than in e-cigarette aerosol, meaning that some of the chemicals were likely deposited in the respiratory tract.
Scientists are still working to understand exactly which chemicals and how much of them people are exposed to when they vape, as well as what the potential health consequences are of these exposures. While there is still much to be discovered, it is becoming clear that vaping DOES expose the user to many chemicals, and we already know that some of these chemicals can be toxic.
Scientists are still working to understand exactly which chemicals and how much of them people are exposed to when they vape, as well as what the potential health consequences are of these exposures. While there is still much to be discovered, it is becoming clear that vaping DOES expose the user to many chemicals, and we already know that some of these chemicals can be toxic.
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