In the United States, researchers have developed a protocol to determine the degree of toxicity of e-liquids. As a result, some ingredients used in the design of e-liquids would be more toxic than others.
A DATABASE ON INGREDIENTS!
Researchers at the North Carolina School of Medicine, in the United States, have developed a protocol to judge the degree of toxicity of e-liquids. Their study is available on PLOS Biology.
E-liquids are made up of two major ingredients: propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. To this is added nicotine and aromas. The researchers then developed a rapid assessment system for the toxicity of e-liquids.
They do this by exposing cultures of human cells to the vapor of different liquids. The cells are then stained. If they turn green, it is because they are alive, red if they are dead. The growth rate of cells is also observed, so the lower it is, the more toxic the e-liquid.
The two main ingredients in these fluids were considered to be oral non-toxic, but once inhaled cell growth was significantly reduced. Scientists also found that depending on the scent, the ingredients varied wildly. Generally, the more ingredient there is, the greater the toxicity of the liquid. The presence of vanillins or cinnamon in the composition was also associated with higher toxicity values.
To facilitate the dissemination of these results, the research team set up a database on the ingredients and data on the toxicity of e-liquids freely available. They hope that this work will allow, in the future, to better regulate the composition of e-liquids.
Source : Topsante.com
