18.5 Chemicals in e-liquids and e-cigarette aerosols

People may be exposed to chemicals in e-cigarettes in a variety of ways, such as during e-cigarette use (vaping), during mixing and handling of e-liquids, by inhaling secondhand aerosol and through accidental exposure. This section focuses on exposure to nicotine and other chemicals found in e-liquids and in the aerosols emitted during typical use of e-cigarettes (commonly known as vapes).

The research in the section has largely tested e-cigarettes that are not on the TGA’s 2025 list of notified products¹ (i.e. therapeutics vapes that suppliers have indicated comply with the TGO110 product standard and are lawfully supplied in Australia through pharmacies). See Section 18.13.2.2 for an overview of compliance with TGO110.  In Section 18.5 we will use the term ‘e-cigarettes’ to make it clear that we are referring to research that is relevant to that much wider group of products.

Section 18.5 covers a range of topics to describe the chemicals found in e-cigarettes and the potential for toxicity from a subset of them. These subsection are:

Summary of the major conclusions about chemicals in e-cigarettes

E-liquids and aerosol emissions from e-cigarettes

Chemical “ingredients” in e-liquids

Toxic chemicals in e-cigarettes and their emissions

Chemicals in e-cigarettes sold in Australia

Effects of e-cigarette device types and modes of use

Chemicals in e-cigarettes compared to conventional cigarettes

Biomarkers of e-cigarette exposure

References 

1. Therapeutic Goods Administration. Notified vape list: goods for smoking cessation or nicotine dependence.  Available from: https://www.tga.gov.au/products/unapproved-therapeutic-goods/vaping-hub/notified-vape-list-goods-smoking-cessation-or-nicotine-dependence.