Toxicant Production and Mitigation in the Electronic-Cigarette Reaction Vessel

 描述(申请人提供)：尽管电子烟对健康的影响尚不清楚，但它已经变得如此受欢迎，以至于一些来源预测，电子烟的销量将在未来十年内超过传统香烟。然而，目前，相关科学数据的严重不足极大地阻碍了监管努力。这项提议的主要目的是澄清(1)电子烟“蒸发”过程中产生的毒素的来源和水平，以及(2)通过尿布吸入的颗粒和通过“二手”手段暴露的颗粒的特性。中心假设是，电子烟是促进自由基反应的反应容器，这些反应导致一系列产品在高温下形成。拟议研究的基本原理是，对影响毒物形成和气溶胶性质的反应变量进行全面调查，将使监管机构、制造商和家庭化学家更清楚地了解使用电子烟时应避免的条件。已经组建了一个多学科小组，以解决电子烟的化学、工程、分析和生物方面的问题。初步研究已经导致了 发现了一种以前未知的反应途径，导致总甲醛水平接近释放的尼古丁。该研究计划以我们的初步成果为基础，涉及四个具体目标。目标1是定义蒸发对主要的气溶胶形成分子甘油和丙二醇的影响。目标2是定义蒸发对尼古丁的影响，以及一些电子烟液体中可能存在的相关生物碱。目标3是定义香料和环境污染物对蒸发产品的影响。目标4是确定甲醛从载体产品分子中释放的能力，并通过各种生物测试来检测电子烟气雾剂的毒性。我们将生成预测模型，以便能够探测控制产品形成和粒度分布(PSD)的设计变量和工艺。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Despite the fact that their health effects are unknown, electronic cigarettes have become so popular that some sources project their sales to surpass those of traditional cigarettes within the next decade. Currently, however, regulatory efforts are greatly hampered by a severe deficiency of relevant scientific data. The main objectives of this proposal are to clarify (i) the origins and levels of toxins produced during e-cigarette "vaping" and (ii) the properties of the particles that are inhaled by vapers and those exposed by "second-hand" means. The central hypothesis is that e-cigarettes are reaction vessels that promote free radical reactions that lead to a range of products formed at high temperatures. The rationale underlying the proposed research is that a comprehensive investigation of the reaction variables influencing toxicant formation and aerosol properties will provide regulatory agencies, manufacturers, and home chemists a clearer understanding of conditions to be avoided when using e-cigarettes. A multidisciplinary team has been assembled to address the chemical, engineering, analytical and biological aspects of e-cigarettes. Preliminary studies have led to the discovery of a previously-unknown reaction pathway that leads to total formaldehyde levels that approach those of delivered nicotine. The research plan builds upon our preliminary results and involves four Specific Aims. Aim 1 is to define the effect of vaping upon glycerol and propylene glycol, the primary aerosol-forming molecules. Aim 2 is to define the effect of vaping upon nicotine, as well as related alkaloids likely to be present in some e-cigarette liquids. Aim 3 is t define the effect of flavorants and environmental contaminants on vaping products. Aim 4 is to determine the ability of formaldehyde to be released from carrier product molecules, and to examine the toxicities of e- cigarette aerosols by various bioassays. We will generate predictive models that will enable probing design variables and processes controlling product formation and particle size distributions (PSDs).