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18.5 Chemicals in e-liquids and e-cigarette aerosols
Foreword

Relevant news and research: Chemicals in e-liquids and e-cigarette aerosols

Dong, Z., Pang, Q., Ling, Q., He, C., Wu, G., Wei, S., Deng, W., Liu, C., Qian, J., Fu, Y., Hai, T., Chen, Z., Yun, L. and Rong, X. (2025). Heating Coil Corrosion by E-Liquid Containing Nicotine Lactate Salt and In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Nickel Leachate in E-Liquid and E-Cigarette Aerosol. Chem Res Toxicol, 9, 1557-1563. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40907005


Gajdosechova, Z., Marleau-Gillette, J., Polivchuk, M., Kosarac, I., Katuri, G. P., Das, D., Cabecinha, A., Waye, A. and Abramovici, H. (2025). Tracking metal presence in cannabis vaping products from source to inhalation. Sci Rep, 1, 31939. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40883388


Olmedo, P. and Gil, F. (2025). Modern Disposable E‑Cigarettes: Small in Size but Big in Toxic Metals. ACS Cent Sci, 8, 1272-1274. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40904750


Salazar, M. R., Saini, L., Nguyen, T. B., Pinkerton, K. E., Madl, A. K., Cole, A. M. and Poulin, B. A. (2025). Elevated Toxic Element Emissions from Popular Disposable E‑Cigarettes: Sources, Life Cycle, and Health Risks. ACS Cent Sci, 8, 1345-1354. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40893954


Wang, X., Tian, Y., Li, X., Zhang, J., Liu, Y., Chen, H., Hou, H. and Hu, Q. (2025). Toxicity of Novel and Emerging Nicotine and Tobacco Products: A Review. Int J Toxicol, 1.09158E+16. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40939584


Wong, M., Martinez, T., Hua, M., Hendricks, N. and Talbot, P. (2025). Unraveling the Toxicological Effects of Hydroxyacetone - A Reaction Product in Electronic Cigarette Aerosols. bioRxiv. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40950067


Cao, Y., Zhang, L., Yang, M., Li, J., Chen, X., Zheng, F., Zhang, J., Xu, X. and Liu, X. (2025). Assessing biomarkers of exposure to carcinogens associated with combustible cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and heated tobacco products: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol, 1630961. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40799821


Chowdhury, S., Roy, S., Ferdous, T., Osibogun, O., Asfar, T., Bursac, Z. and Maziak, W. (2025). Menthol flavour enhances vaping experiences: a randomised crossover clinical trial. Tob Control. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40813093


Moisi, R., Comanescu, M. A. and Medvedovici, A. V. (2025). Reversed-Phase (RP) and Hydrophilic Interaction (HILIC) Separation Mechanisms for the Assay of Nicotine and E-Cigarette Liquids. Molecules, 16. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40871595


Piechowski, J. M. and Bagatto, B. (2025). A simple, cost-effective, method for creating electronic cigarette vapor condensate. Biol Methods Protoc, 1, bpaf055. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40799310


Pourchez, J., Mercier, C. and Forest, V. (2025). The rise of nicotine analogues in vaping products. Lancet Respir Med. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40845865


Barroso, C. N. F., Melo, L. M. A., Aranha, L. M. S., Pereira, T. F. L., Souza, K. A. O., Costa, J. L., Arantes, L. C., Marton, M., Vojs, M. and Dos Santos, W. T. P. (2025). A novel electrochemical method for detecting synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarette and biological samples using a lab-made electrode. Talanta, Pt A, 128574. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40682941


Keyser, B. M., Leverette, R., McRae, R., Wertman, J., Shutsky, T., Jordan, K. G., Szeliga, K. and Makena, P. (2025). In vitro toxicological evaluation of nicotine concentration and flavor variants of Vuse Alto ENDS. Food Chem Toxicol, 115640. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40659112


Lin, W., Hill, T., 3rd, Stroup, A. M., Sarles, S. E., Ogura, T., Augustine, F., O'Sullivan, S., Rahman, I., Robinson, R., Jabba, S. V., Nuss, C. and Hensel, E. (2025). Chemosensory Tobacco Product Toxicology Part 1: Sensory Mechanisms. Toxicol Sci. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40708233


Lin, W., Hill, T., 3rd, Stroup, A. M., Sarles, S. E., Ogura, T., Augustine, F., O'Sullivan, S., Rahman, I., Robinson, R., Jabba, S. V., Nuss, C. and Hensel, E. (2025). Chemosensory Tobacco Product Toxicology Part 2: Toxicological Testing, Assays, and State of the Science. Toxicol Sci. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40705669


Pennington, C. and Aldave, S. H. (2025). Disposable electronic cigarettes: Chemical composition in new and used devices. J Chromatogr A, 466178. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40614579


Robertson, N. E., Hunsaker, H. C., Yamamoto, M., Cheung, K., Poulin, B. A. and Nguyen, T. B. (2025). E‑Liquid and Aerosol Characterization of Popular Disposable E‑Cigarettes. ACS Omega, 27, 29615-29627. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40687050


Sakalauskaite, S., Zdanavicius, L., Steinmiller, J. and Istomina, N. (2025). Exposure to Toxic Compounds Using Alternative Smoking Products: Analysis of Empirical Data. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40724077


Sanchez, L. M., Bae, D., Cho, J., Harlow, A. F., Kirkpatrick, M. G., Schuler, L. A., Miech, R. A., Dai, H. D., Sussman, S. Y., Han, D. H., Meza, L. and Leventhal, A. M. (2025). Awareness and Use of Vaping Products With a Nicotine Analogue Among Adolescents and Young Adults. Pediatrics, 2. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40588286


Sussman, R. A., Gomez-Ruiz, H. and Farsalinos, K. (2025). Comment on Svarch-Perez et al. Methods for a Non-Targeted Qualitative Analysis and Quantification of Benzene, Toluene, and Xylenes by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry of E-Liquids and Aerosols in Commercially Available Electronic Cigarettes in Mexico. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21, 1308. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40724116


Svarch-Perez, A., Paz-Gonzalez, M. V., Ruiz-Juarez, C., Olvera-Chacon, J. C., Larios-Solis, A., Castro-Gaytan, S., Aldeco-Perez, E. and Alcocer-Varela, J. C. (2025). Reply to Sussman et al. Comment on "Svarch-Perez et al. Methods for a Non-Targeted Qualitative Analysis and Quantification of Benzene, Toluene, and Xylenes by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry of E-Liquids and Aerosols in Commercially Available Electronic Cigarettes in Mexico. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21, 1308". Int J Environ Res Public Health, 7. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40724117


Tang, M. K., Carmella, S. G., Zhao, Y., Maertens, L., Pimentel, L. G., Hatsukami, D. K. and Hecht, S. S. (2025). Quantitative analysis of propylene glycol in saliva of e-cigarette users by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci, 124719. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40618678


Yuan, S., Sun, S., Qin, R. and Li, P. (2025). Monitoring the nicotine delivery stability in electronic cigarettes based on in-situ AS/SRD/FOS technology. Anal Chim Acta, 344244. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40610138


Zhang, X., Li, Y., Liu, J., Pan, Z., Chen, Y., Wang, M., Dai, Y., Zhao, K., Gu, J., Zhang, H., Zhang, S., Wurita, A. and Hasegawa, K. (2025). Identification of two novel imidazole-derived GABA agonists butomidate and tf-etomidate in e-cigarette liquids. Forensic Toxicol. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40643820


Diamond, G. L. and Klotzbach, J. M. (2025). Contribution of e-cigarette use to renal cadmium burden. J Toxicol Environ Health A, Jan-20. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40531136


Erythropel, H. C., Jabba, S. V., Mellinghoff, R. A., Garcia-Gallet, V., Silinski, P., Zimmerman, J. B. and Jordt, S. E. (2025). Prevalence of Artificial Sweetener Neotame in US-Marketed Disposable E-Cigarettes. JAMA. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40455485


Li, W., Davis, D. R., Wu, R., Gueorguieva, R., Green, B. G. and Krishnan-Sarin, S. (2025). The effect of "ice" components in sweet-flavored nicotine-containing e-liquids among young adult e-cigarette users. Exp Clin Psychopharmacol. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40489161


Piechowski, J. M. and Bagatto, B. (2025). Qualitative chemical analysis of cinnamon flavored e-cigarette vapor to identify compounds of interest that may affect cardiovascular function. MicroPubl Biol. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40463482


Sompa, S. I., Ji, J., Rahman, M., Sjogren, B., Upadhyay, S., Ganguly, K., Olin, A. C., Bergstrom, A. and Palmberg, L. (2025). Local and systemic effects in e-cigarette users compared to cigarette smokers, dual users, and non-smokers. Respir Res, 1, 207. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40468357


Zhu, Y., Wang, H., Sun, J., Liu, F., Guo, L., Zhang, Q., Mao, J., Tian, S., Fan, W. and Xie, J. (2025). Effects of flavor ingredient ethyl vanillin on nicotine pharmacokinetics and neurotransmitters release. Eur J Pharmacol, 177852. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40541599


Comite? National Contre le Tabagisme (2025). The CNCT alerts on the use of a new addictive molecule used by the tobacco industry: 6-methyl-nicotine. . Available from: https://cnct.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Press-release-WNTD-1.pdf


Dai, H. D., Brown Keebler, A. K. and Young, B. (2025). Biomarkers of secondhand smoke and vaping exposure among U.S. Adolescents. Addict Behav, 108381. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40378612


GŽnŽration Sans Tabac (2025). The CNCT warns of 6-methyl-nicotine: a new addictive threat in vaping products and oral pouches. . Available from: https://www.generationsanstabac.org/en/actualites/le-cnct-alerte-sur-la-6-methyl-nicotine-une-nouvelle-menace-addictive-dans-les-produits-de-vapotage-et-sachets-oraux/


Maeder, S. and Jeannet, C. (2025). A Comparative Assessment of the FDA List of 93 HPHCs in Aerosol Generated by Tobacco Heating System 2.2 versus 3R4F Reference Cigarette Smoke. Chem Res Toxicol. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40396687


Pawaskar, K., Scott, S. M., Engel, S., Mulloy, S. M. and Lee, A. M. (2025). Flavor compounds found in electronic cigarette liquids differentially enhance voluntary nicotine consumption and preference in mice. Nicotine Tob Res. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40378181


Valenzuela, E. F., Simoes, I. F., Camelier, F. W. R., de Freitas Santos Junior, A., Viola, Z. and Carolina da Fonseca Andrade, G. (2025). Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in e-cigarettes: A thermal desorption coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) approach. Talanta, 128255. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40334512


Yuce, Y. and Can Eke, B. (2025). Investigation of some metal levels in people using electronic cigarettes and IQOS. Toxicol Mech Methods, Jan-16. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40369841


Carvalho, B., Foiani, L., Zucco, G., Faria, N. C., Nepomuceno, G., Silva, K. C. S., Borges, R., Oliveira Alves, M. G., Perez-Sayans, M., Martinho, H. D. S. and Almeida, J. D. (2025). Decoding E-Cigarette Secrets: Unveiling Saliva and E-Liquid Composition through Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. ACS Omega, 12, 11911-11921. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40191371


Manietta, L., Drake, W. and Jayawardene, W. (2025). Comparative Analysis of Inflammatory and Heavy Metal Biomarkers in Exclusive E-Cigarette Users, Combustible Tobacco Users, and Non-Users Aged 18-30: A Cross-Sectional NHANES Analysis. J Xenobiot, 2. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40278158


Omaiye, E. and Talbot, P. (2025). Quantification of 16 Metals in Fluids and Aerosols from Ultrasonic Pod-Style Cigarettes and Comparison to Electronic Cigarettes. Environ Health Perspect. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40207990


Page, M. K., Merzianu, A. D., Leigh, N. J. and Goniewicz, M. L. (2025). Stability of Flavoring Chemicals in e-Cigarette Liquids: A Naturalistic Product Aging Study over 24 months. ACS Omega, 15, 15706-15715. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40290923


Toledo, E. F. V., Simoes, I. F., Farias, M. T., Minho, L. A. C., Conceicao, J. L., Santos, W., Mesquita, P. R. R. and Junior, A. F. S. (2025). A Comprehensive Review of the Harmful Compounds in Electronic Cigarettes. Toxics, 4. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40278584


Xue, Z., Orr-Souza, E., Nargis, N., Patel, M. and Nighbor, T. (2025). Nicotine and Toxicant Exposure among Individuals using both Combustible Cigarettes and E-cigarettes Based on Level of Product Use. Nicotine Tob Res. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40233071


Zhang, H., Cheng, H., Chen, D., Wang, C., Mao, J., Yang, Z., Chen, W. T., Li, L. and Hu, G. (2025). Covalent organic framework encapsulated multi-walled carbon nanotubes for ultrasensitive electrochemical determination of lead ions in water and e-cigarette samples. Nanoscale. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40197416


Besaratinia, A. (2025). Electronic Cigarette-Derived Metals: Exposure and Health Risks in Vapers. Chem Res Toxicol. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40094421


Erythropel, H. C., Jabba, S. V., Mellinghoff, R. A., Garcia-Gallet, V., Silinski, P., Zimmerman, J. B. and Jordt, S. E. (2025). Prevalence of Potent Artificial Sweetener Neotame in Popular US-Marketed Disposable Electronic Cigarettes. Res Sq. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40060039


Kaur, G., Lamb, T., Tjitropranoto, A. and Rahman, I. (2025). Single-cell transcriptomics identifies a dampened neutrophil function and accentuated T-cell cytotoxicity in tobacco flavored e-cigarette exposed mouse lungs. bioRxiv. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40027777


Sniadach, J., Kicman, A., Michalska-Falkowska, A., Jonczyk, K. and Waszkiewicz, N. (2025). Changes in Concentration of Selected Biomarkers of Exposure in Users of Classic Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes, and Heated Tobacco Products-A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci, 5. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40076424


Hammond, D., Reid, J. L., Goniewicz, M. L., McNeill, A., O'Connor, R. J., Corsetti, D., Brose, L. S., Schurr, B. and Robson, D. (2025). Biomarkers of toxicant exposure among youth in Canada, England and the United States who vape and/or smoke tobacco or do neither. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39992176


van der Velpen, V., Liakoni, E., Hirt, M. B., Vonwyl, C. M., Christen, S. E., Duthaler, U., Jacob, P. and Haschke, M. (2025). A validated single-step saliva and serum sample extraction LC-MS/MS method for the analysis of nicotine, cotinine and 3'-hydroxycotinine for clinical vaping studies. J Pharm Biomed Anal, 116703. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39919465


Yang, B. R. and Lee, S. M. (2025). Electronic cigarette use and heavy metal exposure: Evidence from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Ann Epidemiol, 1-Aug. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39889940


He, X., Meister, M., Jeon, J., Shinde, A., Zhang, Q., Chepaitis, P., Black, M., Shannahan, J. and Wright, C. (2025). Multi-Omics Assessment of Puff Volume-Mediated Salivary Biomarkers of Metal Exposure and Oxidative Injury Associated with Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems. Environ Health Perspect, 1, 17005. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39819025


Kapiamba, K. F., Achterberg, S., Lin, T. C., Whitefield, P. D., Huang, Y. W. and Wang, Y. (2025). Characterizing the Transient Emission of Particles and Gases from a Single Puff of Electronic Cigarette Smoke. Chem Res Toxicol. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39818726


Klupinski, T. P., Adetona, A., Ivanov, A., Richardson, A., Strozier, E. D., Aume, L. L. S., Karam, H., Makselan, S. D., McCauley, M., Mullins, L., Stiffler, B., Lucas, E. A. and Kim, H. (2025). Chemical Constituents and Particle Size Distribution of Mainstream Emission from Electronic Waterpipe. Nicotine Tob Res. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39887006


Kubica, P., Majchrzak, T. and Vakh, C. (2025). Unveiling per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in e-cigarette refill liquids: A comprehensive analytical assessment. Sci Total Environ, 178297. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39765165


Lee, J., Afshar, M., Su, W. C. and Han, I. (2025). Effect of electronic cigarette atomising power and flavour on aerosol size-segregated metal concentration and inhalation risk. Tob Control. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39814527


Oh, S. G., An, Y. J. and Kim, Y. H. (2025). Assessing the impact of device parameters on electronic cigarette aerosol dynamics: Comprehensive analysis of emission profiles and toxic chemical constituents. Sci Total Environ, 178583. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39855125


Bono, R. S., White, A. M., Imran, R., Maldonado, G. T., Lipato, T., Barnes, A. J. and Cobb, C. O. (2025). Dose by design: How limits on nicotine flux and puff duration affect the abuse liability of electronic nicotine delivery systems. Drug Alcohol Depend, 112508. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39657440


Dai, W., Shi, J., Carreno, J., Kleinman, M. T., Herman, D. A., Arechavala, R. J., Renusch, S., Hasen, I., Ting, A. and Kloner, R. A. (2024). Impact of electronic cigarette vaping on the cardiovascular function in young and old rats. Sci Rep, 1, 30420. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39639066


Demirci Atik, M., Yilmaz, S. and Kilinc, O. (2024). Could E-Cigarettes be the Source of Lead Toxicity?. Thorac Res Pract, 1. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39660886


Harris, T. (2024). Physical and Chemical Characterization of Aerosols Produced from Commercial Nicotine Salt-Based E-Liquids. Chem Res Toxicol. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39654291


Wang, Y., Zhong, J., Jin, Z., Luo, A., Wu, Z., Jiang, X., Chen, J., Liu, P. and Li, M. (2024). Cigarette and e-cigarette reversely regulated autophagy via distinct level of ROS in vitro. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf, 117448. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39626481


Earlier news and research

For news items and research on this topic earlier than 2025, click here.

Intro
Chapter 2