Influence of Nitrite on Formation of Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines in Electronic Cigarette Liquids and Aerosols
Xiaohong Jin, Karl A. Wagner, Matt S. Melvin, Donna C. Smith, Yezdi B. Pithawalla, William Gardner, Karen C. Avery, Georgios D. Karles
Abstract
Tobacco-specific nitrosamine (TSNA) formation occurred during aerosol generation from select commercial cig-a-like e-cigarette products. To understand the drivers behind the potential formation of TSNAs in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) aerosols and e-liquids, model e-liquid systems were generated in the lab to demonstrate that nitrite can react with nicotine and minor alkaloids to form TSNAs in e-liquids. In the presence of nitrite and nicotine, TSNA levels in e-liquids increased over time and the process was accelerated by elevated temperature. Additionally, TSNAs formed during aerosol generation when nitrite was present in the corresponding e-liquids. The commercial e-cigarette products that showed higher levels and formation of TSNAs were observed to contain nitrite and minor alkaloid impurities in the corresponding e-liquids. This study provides valuable information about drivers for TSNA formation in e-liquids and e-cigarette aerosols that may be applied to the evaluation and quality assurance of e-cigarette products.