Esther E Omaiye1,2, Monique Williams2, Krassimir N Bozhilov3, Prue Talbot2. 1. Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States of America. 2. Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States of America. 3. Central Facility for Advanced Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States of America.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The atomizers of electronic cigarettes (ECs) contain metals that transfer to the aerosol upon heating and may present health hazards. This study analyzed 4th-generation EC pod atomizer design features and characterized their elemental/metal composition. METHODS: Eleven EC pods from six brands/manufacturers were purchased at local shops and online. Pods were dissected and imaged using a Canon EOS Rebel SL2 camera. Elemental analysis and mapping of atomizer components was done using a scanning electron microscope coupled with an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer. RESULTS: EC pods varied in size and design. The internal atomizer components were similar across brands except for variations occurring mainly in the wicks and filaments of some products. The filaments were either Elinvar (nickel, iron, and chromium) (36.4%), nichrome (36.4%), iron-chromium (18.2%), or nickel (9%). Thick wires present in 55% of the atomizers were mainly nickel and were joined to filaments by brazing. Wire-connector joints were Elinvar. Metal air tubes were made of Elinvar (50%), nickel, zinc, copper, and tin (37.5%), and nickel and copper (12.5%). Most of the wick components were silica, except for two pods (PHIX and Mico), which were mainly ceramic. Connectors contained gold-plated nickel, iron-chromium multiple alloys of nickel, zinc, gold, iron, and copper. Wick chambers were made of Elinvar. Outer casings were either nickel, copper-tin, or nickel-copper alloys. Magnets were nickel with minor iron, copper, and sulfur. Some frequently occurring elements were high in relative abundance in atomizer components. CONCLUSIONS: The atomizers of pods are similar to previous generations, with the introduction of ceramic wicks and magnets in the newer generations. The elements in EC atomizers may transfer into aerosols and adversely affect health and accumulate in the environment.
BACKGROUND: The atomizers of electronic cigarettes (ECs)contain metals that transfer to the aerosol upon heating and may present health hazards. This study analyzed 4th-generation EC pod atomizer design features and characterized their elemental/metalcomposition. r> METHODS: Eleven EC pods from six brands/manufacturers were purchased at local shops and online. Pods were dissected and imaged using a Canon EOS Rebel SL2 camera. Elemental analysis and mapping of atomizercomponents was done using a scanning electron microscope coupled with an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer. r> RESULTS: EC pods varied in size and design. The internal atomizercomponents were similar across brands except for variations occurring mainly in the wicks and filaments of some products. The filaments were either Elinvar (nickel, iron, and chromium) (36.4%), nichrome (36.4%), iron-chromium (18.2%), ornickel (9%). Thick wires present in 55% of the atomizers were mainly nickel and were joined to filaments by brazing. Wire-connector joints were Elinvar. Metal air tubes were made of Elinvar (50%), nickel, zinc, copper, and tin (37.5%), and nickel and copper (12.5%). Most of the wick components were silica, except for two pods (PHIX and Mico), which were mainly ceramic. Connectors contained gold-plated nickel, iron-chromium multiple alloys of nickel, zinc, gold, iron, and copper. Wick chambers were made of Elinvar. Outer casings were eithernickel, copper-tin, ornickel-copperalloys. Magnets were nickel with minoriron, copper, and sulfur. Some frequently occurring elements were high in relative abundance in atomizercomponents. r> CONCLUSIONS: The atomizers of pods are similar to previous generations, with the introduction of ceramic wicks and magnets in the newer generations. The elements in EC atomizers may transfer into aerosols and adversely affect health and accumulate in the environment.