E-cigarette smoke still contains toxic elements

E-cigarettes produce second-hand smoke that is less harmful than that of traditional cigarettes with respect to the carcinogenic substances, but they contain higher quantities of toxic metals, according to a recent study by USC professors published in the Journal of Environmental Science, Processes and Impacts.

Killers · Despite being less carcinogenic than traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain higher levels of the toxic metals chromium and nickel. – Samuel Chang | Daily Trojan

“Our results demonstrate that overall electronic cigarettes seem to be less harmful than regular cigarettes, but their elevated content of toxic metals such as nickel and chromium do raise concerns,” Costas Sioutas, professor at the Viterbi School of Engineering and corresponding author of the study said in a press release.

In traditional cigarettes, the carcinogenic smoke is due primarily to the tobacco leaves used. E-cigarettes, however, are comprised mainly of nicotine cartridges and a special battery with an electronic circuit. They do not have any organic substances like tobacco and hence do not produce the cancer-causing smoke, like traditional cigarettes do.

But the research also uncovered that e-cigarettes contain the toxic metals chromium and nickel at higher levels than traditional cigarettes.

“In an e-cigarette, the container that carries the nicotine liquid is usually made of metals and this metal alloy used for manufacturing might most likely be the source for the toxic substances in the smoke,” said Arian Saffari, a Ph.D. student at Viterbi and lead author of the paper.

The research, funded by the National Institute of Cancer Research in Milan, Italy, went on for about eight months and involved field sampling, air and chemical analysis and mathematical modulations. The researchers felt the study was very challenging since it was an interdisciplinary activity involving both mathematics and chemistry. The samples tested were from real-life environments like offices and rooms to simulate actual conditions unlike the laboratories, making the results very reliable.

Regulation of e-cigarettes has been a controversial issue, but e-cigarettes are still a less harmful alternative for those struggling to quit traditional cigarettes. Even public places like cafés and hospitals do not prohibit their usage within their premises. Saffari feels that this research could be helpful in prompting some regulatory modifications that would benefit passive smokers. Though the e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional ones, the research shows they are not harmless and aims to create an awareness regarding the usage of e-cigarettes in public places.

“We felt a huge gap of knowledge between what needs to be known before putting some regulations and what we know now, since [e-cigarettes] are quite new,” Saffari said.

Many students believe that e-cigarettes should not be regulated to the same extent as traditional cigarettes.

“I think e-cigarettes shouldn’t be [regulated] as strictly as regular cigarettes because research has shown it’s definitely not as bad,” Kevin Wang, a senior majoring in business administration said. “There should be some regulation like [how] most restaurants have smoking and non-smoking [areas], but the regulation shouldn’t be to the extent of normal cigarettes.”

Others said the government should allow e-cigarettes but should also implement programs to discourage their use.

“I don’t think they should be regulated as much as normal cigarettes because they’re not really harming other people, so you kind of have your free will to do whatever you want,” Swini Tummala, a junior majoring in international relations, said. “But I certainly think that with taxes and stuff, we put social pressure on people not to smoke or not to drink as much so I think that’s one way the government could maybe put pressure and do some social engineering to where it’s not as attractive to use e-cigarettes.”