Abstract
The term "electronic cigarette" includes a broad range of different electronic devices with which to inhale aerosols. The e-liquid vaporisation process comprises a chain of several chemical reactions which result in hundreds of chemical compounds.
The composition and concentration of chemicals contained in e-liquids or, more precisely, in the resulting aerosol, are difficult to identify and quantify. This review article includes a summary of current evidence about the toxicity of selected chemical substances contained in electronic cigarette liquids.
Forty initial sources were selected in online databases on the basis of a non-systematic literature review using a set of keywords. This overview presents selected categories of e-liquid ingredients according to their functions and chemical composition.
The most frequent substances include bulking agents (propylene glycol and glycerol). So far, the least-explored category consists of a wide range of flavourings.
A separate category is represented by nicotine, the cause of the development of physical dependence. Another, highly diverse group of compounds is chemical substances formed as by-products of vaporisation.
Knowledge of the toxicity of e-cigarettes is essential to assessing the degree of associated risks, as well as to establishing appropriate regulatory and public health measures. (C) 2020, Sdruzeni SCAN. All rights reserved.