Vaping's Hidden Cost: Air Pollution And Health Risks

Vaping is often considered a safer alternative to smoking, but it still has an impact on air pollution. E-cigarettes heat up liquid housed in a cartridge, producing an aerosol mist or vapour that the user inhales. This vapour contains nicotine, chemicals like propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, additives, and flavourings. While vaping does not generate sidestream smoke or put combustion products into the air, it does release fine particles and nicotine into the air, which can be absorbed by bystanders. This has been shown to impair indoor air quality, especially in small, enclosed spaces and during vaping conventions, where the concentration of these pollutants is much higher.

Vaping conventions: a major source of indoor air pollution

Vaping conventions are public events that promote the use of electronic cigarettes, allowing indoor vaping. The large number of people vaping in a confined space, coupled with poor ventilation, results in significant indoor air pollution.

A vaping convention in Maryland, USA, attracted over 1,000 attendees, with an estimated 24-hour time-weighted average (TWA) PM10 of 1800 μg/m3, 12 times higher than the EPA 24-hour regulation of 150 μg/m3. The high levels of PM10, TVOCs, CO2, NO2, and airborne nicotine impaired the indoor air quality.

The detection of airborne nicotine, a specific marker not related to other sources of air pollution, confirms that vaping is a major contributor to indoor air pollution during these conventions. The aerosol produced by e-cigarettes contains ultrafine particles, which are dangerous when inhaled. While e-cigarettes produce less secondhand aerosol than traditional cigarettes, they still pollute the air with nicotine and fine particles, exposing bystanders to harmful chemicals.

The indoor air quality at vaping conventions raises occupational health concerns for vendors, staff, and attendees. The extremely high concentrations of e-cigarette aerosol can lead to third-hand exposure, as surfaces become impregnated with deposited aerosol and nicotine. This emphasizes the need for regulatory interventions to protect individuals from the potential health risks associated with passive vaping.

The popularity of vaping has led to the development of more powerful devices, increasing the amount of aerosol released into the air. While some states and cities in the US have restricted vaping in public places, there is a growing consensus for comprehensive legislation to address the impact of vaping on indoor air quality and public health.

Vaping releases harmful chemicals

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) contain chemicals such as nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, additives, and flavorings. While e-cigarettes do not burn tobacco, they still release fine particles and pollutants into the air. These particles can include toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and nitrosamines, which have been linked to cancer.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) have both recommended that electronic smoking devices (ESDs) be included in smoke-free laws. The AIHA specifically states that "e-cigarettes are a potential source of pollutants (such as airborne nicotine, flavorings, and thermal degradation products)."

Furthermore, a study by Wolfgang Schober and colleagues found that vaping worsened indoor air quality by increasing the concentration of nicotine, particulate matter, PAHs, and aluminum—compounds linked to lung and cardiovascular disease and cancer. Another study by Jan Czogala and colleagues found that bystanders exposed to air polluted by e-cigarettes had similar levels of cotinine, a measure of nicotine intake, as those exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke.

The release of these harmful chemicals into the air through vaping can have negative health impacts on both vapers and non-vapers, especially in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.

Passive vaping: bystanders absorb nicotine and other pollutants

Passive vaping, or secondhand exposure, is a condition where bystanders, usually non-smokers, are exposed to the exhaled aerosol from e-cigarette use. The aerosol from e-cigarettes contains nicotine, which is also present in tobacco cigarettes. In addition to nicotine, the aerosol from passive vaping contains other chemicals not present in regular cigarettes, such as propylene glycol and glycerol, which serve as the solvent in vape liquid, and flavourings.

Many studies have shown that levels of particulate matter and nicotine increase in an indoor environment during and after vaping, suggesting that it creates indoor pollution. For example, in homes where people vape, the concentration of indoor airborne nicotine was more than six times higher than in non-vapers' homes. People who lived with vapers also absorbed the nicotine from the aerosol into their system. Airborne nicotine and fine particulate matter from passive vaping may also contaminate other rooms or spaces as they can travel to neighbouring areas and outdoor environments.

The magnitude of passive vaping is not negligible. Exposure to e-cigarette aerosol has been pervasive, especially in countries where e-cigarette use is prevalent, like Greece and England. In 2017-2018, 16% of adult bystanders in 12 European countries were exposed to e-cigarette aerosol in indoor settings. Passive vaping disproportionately affects youth, men, and former vapers. It has been observed in places where smoking is banned, including indoor areas of bars, restaurants, and workplaces or educational facilities, as well as locations where children are likely to be present, such as playgrounds and school gates.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have put bystanders exposed to e-cigarettes at higher risk of contracting or having poor outcomes for COVID-19 since the aerosol may compromise lung function and immunity. Passive vaping may also endorse the social acceptance of vaping and renormalise smoking. Studies have found that youth exposed to vaping aerosol were likely to initiate vaping or even smoking combustible cigarettes. They even tend to perceive vaping or passive vaping as safe. This raises concerns about the gateway effect for non-smokers who may become smokers at a later stage or become dual users of both vaping and smoking products.

Vaping increases indoor particulate matter

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are a leading source of indoor air pollution, particularly in spaces where their use is permitted. The aerosol produced by e-cigarettes contains fine particles and nicotine, which can be inhaled by bystanders. While e-cigarettes do not generate sidestream smoke or put combustion products into the air like conventional cigarettes, they still pollute the air and expose bystanders to nicotine and other pollutants.

Studies have detected harmful chemicals in e-cigarette aerosol, including formaldehyde, acetone, acetaldehyde, propylene glycol, and metals such as chromium, nickel, and tin nanoparticles. These chemicals can have adverse health effects, including eye, throat, and airway irritation, and potentially contribute to heart disease and cancer.

The increasing popularity of e-cigarettes and the development of more powerful models have led to a rise in indoor particulate matter. The latest e-cigarette models can release larger amounts of aerosols, increasing the potential for passive vaping and exposure to harmful chemicals.

Legislative interventions and restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes in public places and enclosed environments are necessary to protect the health of individuals who may be exposed to indoor vaping.

Vaping contributes to air pollution in public spaces

A study by Jan Czogala and colleagues published in "Nicotine and Tobacco Research" found that e-cigarettes pollute the air with nicotine and fine particles. These fine particles include volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and particulate matter (PM10). The study also found that people exposed to secondhand e-cigarette vapour had similar levels of cotinine, a measure of nicotine intake, as those exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke. This suggests that vaping in public spaces can lead to passive vaping and expose non-vapers to potentially harmful levels of nicotine.

The impact of vaping on indoor air quality has been observed at vaping conventions, where large numbers of people are using e-cigarettes in enclosed spaces. A study of a vaping convention in Maryland, USA, found that indoor concentrations of PM10, TVOCs, CO2, and airborne nicotine significantly increased, impairing indoor air quality. The high concentration of these pollutants can be harmful to attendees, vendors, and other workers at such events.

Furthermore, the increasing popularity of vaping and the evolution of e-cigarette devices have led to greater concerns about passive vaping in public spaces. Newer-generation e-cigarettes can release larger amounts of aerosols, and studies have shown a progressive increase in PM emissions from older to newer models. This means that bystanders in public spaces with vapers may be exposed to higher levels of pollutants, even if they are not in enclosed spaces.

While the specific long-term health effects of passive vaping are still unknown, there are concerns about the potential risks. Some studies have found that short-term exposure to e-cigarette vapour can cause eye, throat, and airway irritation. Additionally, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and other organisations have recommended restricting the use of e-cigarettes in indoor environments until their safety is established.

In summary, vaping contributes to air pollution in public spaces by releasing nicotine and fine particles into the air, leading to potential passive vaping exposure and unknown long-term health risks for non-vapers. The increasing popularity and evolving technology of e-cigarettes further emphasise the need for legislative interventions to protect public health.

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