The Exposure to Metals from E-Cigarettes (EMIT) Study

项目总结 背景：电子烟(电子烟或烟头)是由电池供电的设备，可以产生 使用者吸入的气雾剂(称为“蒸气”)。尽管它们在世界范围内越来越受欢迎和使用，但很少 都知道它们对健康的影响。有人担心，电子烟会让用户接触到金属，因为一种金属 盘管被用来产生“蒸汽”。此外，大多数线圈是由镍和铬组成的，这是 已知的吸入致癌物质。一种名为POD的新型电子烟在未知的情况下越来越受欢迎 有暴露的可能。我们的目标是评估电子烟的使用模式如何影响有毒物质的暴露 金属。具体目标：1)了解金属加热部件在金属转移到 气溶胶，通过在电子液体与加热线圈接触之前分析其金属浓度，以及在 产生气溶胶，2)表征电子烟的使用模式和其他潜在的金属来源 以及3)测量血液、尿液、唾液和呼气冷凝液(EBC)中的金属含量。 吸烟者、非吸烟者、吸烟者和双重吸烟者，评估不同模式的电子烟和 吸烟会影响金属接触。初步研究：我们在气溶胶中发现了镍、铬和铅 来自电子烟，也存在于目前电子烟使用者的尿液、唾液和EBC中。所有金属水平，单位： 气溶胶高于与线圈接触前电子液体中的金属水平。我们还发现， 使用行为，如使用频率和电子烟电压，与暴露水平有关。设计 地点：我们将招募所有种族和民族背景的男性和女性加入以下五个小组之一：1)50 现代电子烟使用者，2)50名POD使用者，3)50名吸烟者，4)50名双重使用者(使用电子烟和 可燃烟草产品)，以及5)50非吸烟者/吸烟者。数据收集：所有参与者将回答以下问题 关于吸烟史、电子烟使用模式和可能涉及金属使用的工作/爱好的问卷调查。 将收集血液、尿液、唾液和呼气的样本，以测量和比较金属水平。 在组内和组间。对于电子烟使用者，他们的电子烟液体在使用前的样本，以及产生的蒸汽 将被收集，以了解电子烟使用期间的金属转移。统计分析：线性 回归模型将被用来估计生物标志物中的金属与电子烟使用的关联 电子液体和气溶胶中的模式、可替宁生物标志物和金属浓度。对于尿液生物标志物，所有 模特们将根据尿肌酐进行调整。意义：拟议的项目将使我们能够评估e- 吸烟者接触金属的情况，他们的使用模式如何影响他们的金属暴露，以及他们的金属如何 暴露水平与吸烟者、双重吸烟者和非吸烟者/吸烟者的水平进行比较。这项研究将 生成必要的信息，为电子烟监管的政策层面干预措施提供信息，并制定计划 未来关于电子烟使用对健康影响的研究。

PROJECT SUMMARY Background: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or ENDS) are battery-operated devices that generate an aerosol (called “vapor”) that is inhaled by the user. Despite their increasing popularity and use worldwide, little is known about their health effects. There is concern that e-cigarettes expose users to metals, since a metal coil is used to generate the “vapor”. Furthermore, most coils are composed of nickel and chromium, which are known inhalation carcinogens. A new e-cigarette type called POD is growing in popularity with unknown potential for exposure. Our goal is to evaluate how e-cigarette use patterns impact exposure to toxic metals. Specific Aims: 1) to understand the role of metal heating components on the transfer of metals into the aerosol, by analyzing metal concentrations in e-liquid before it is in contact with the heating coil, and in the aerosol generated, 2) to characterize patterns of e-cigarette use and other potential sources of metal exposures, and 3) to measure metals in blood, urine, saliva, and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of e- cigarette users, non users, smokers and dual users, to evaluate how different patterns of e-cigarette and smoking use impact metal exposure. Preliminary studies: We have found nickel, chromium, and lead in aerosol from e-cigarettes, and also in urine, saliva and EBC of current e-cigarette users. All metal levels measured in the aerosol were higher than the metal levels found in e-liquid before contact with the coil. We also found that use behaviors, such as frequency of use and e-cigarette voltage, were associated with exposure levels. Design and setting: We will recruit men and women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds to one of five groups: 1) 50 MOD e-cigarette users, 2) 50 POD users, 3) 50 cigarette smokers, 4) 50 dual users (use e-cigarettes and combustible tobacco products), and 5) 50 non-users/smokers. Data collection: All participants will answer a questionnaire on smoking history, e-cigarette use patterns, and work/hobbies that may involve metal use. Samples of blood, urine, saliva, and exhaled breath will be collected to measure and compare metal levels within and between groups. For e-cigarette users, samples of their e-liquid before use, and vapor generated will be collected to understand the transfer of metals during e-cigarette use. Statistical Analysis: Linear regression models will be used to estimate the association of metals in biomarkers with e-cigarette use patterns, cotinine biomarkers, and metal concentrations in e-liquid and aerosol. For urine biomarkers, all models will be adjusted for urinary creatinine. Significance: The proposed project will allow us to evaluate e- cigarette users’ exposure to metals, how their use patterns impact their metal exposures, and how their metal exposure levels compare to those of cigarette smokers, dual users, and non-users/smokers. This study will generate needed information to inform policy-level interventions for e-cigarette regulation as well as to plan future studies on the health effects of e-cigarette use.