No abstract

Smoking continues to be a burden to economies and healthcare systems across the world. One proposed solution to the problem has been e-cigarettes; however, as a relatively new product in the market, little is known about their potential health impacts. Furthermore, e-cigarettes continue to evolve at a rapid rate, making it necessary to regularly review and synthesize available studies. Whilst e-cigarettes are marketed as a smoking cessation tool by some span style="font-family:'Times New Roman'">manufacturers, the reality is that many non-smokers, including youth, are using them. In this review we focus on two major demographics -smokers and non-smokers, and evaluate the most recent data (2018-2019) regarding the potential health effects of e-cigarettes. We assessed peer-reviewed studies on health impacts of e-cigarettes with particular focus on common questions asked by policy makers, clinicians, and scientists: 1. What are the effects of e-cigarettes compared with air/not-smoking?; 2. Is there any direct evidence of harm or benefit to humans?; 3. Is there a risk from second-hand exposure?; 4. What are the risks and/or benefits of e-cigarettes compared with tobacco cigarette use?; 5. Are there risks or benefits to specific populations -people with COPD or asthma, and pregnant women (and their offspring)?; 6. What are the effects of flavoring chemicals?; 7.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels are currently at 418 parts per million (ppm), and by 2100 may exceed 900 ppm. The biological effects of lifetime exposure to CO2 at these levels is unknown. Previously we have shown that mouse lung function is altered by long‐term exposure to 890 ppm CO2. Here, we assess the broader systemic physiological responses to this exposure. Mice were exposed to either 460 or 890 ppm from preconception to 3 months of age, and assessed for effects on developmental, renal and osteological parameters. Locomotor, memory, learning and anxiety‐like behaviours of the mice were also assessed. Exposure to 890 ppm CO2 increased birthweight, decreased female body weight after weaning, and, as young adults, resulted in reduced engagement in memory/learning tasks, and hyperactivity in both sexes in comparison to controls. There were no clear anxiety, learning or memory changes. Renal and osteological parameters were minimally affected. Overall, this study shows that exposure of mice to 890 ppm CO2 from preconception to young adulthood alters growth and some behaviours, with limited evidence of compensatory changes in acid–base balance. These findings highlight the potential for a direct effect of increased atmospheric CO2 on mammalian health outcomes. Key points Long‐term exposure to elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 is an uncontrolled experiment already underway. This is the first known study to assess non‐respiratory physiological impacts of long‐term (conception to young adulthood) exposure of mice to CO2 at levels that may arise in the atmosphere due to global emissions. Exposure to elevated CO2, in comparison to control mice, altered growth patterns in early life and resulted in hyperactive behaviours in young adulthood. Renal and bone parameters, which are important to balance acid–base levels to compensate for increased CO2 exposure, remained relatively unaffected. This work adds to the body of evidence regarding the effects of carbon emissions on mammalian health and highlights a potential future burden of disease.

BACKGROUND: Climate change models predict that atmospheric carbon dioxide [CO 2 ] levels will be between 700 and 900 ppm within the next 80 y. Despite this, the direct physiological effects of exposure to slightly elevated atmospheric CO 2 (as compared with ∼ 410 ppm experienced today), especially when exposures extend from preconception to adulthood, have not been thoroughly studied. OBJECTIVES: In this study we aimed to assess the respiratory structure and function effects of long-term exposure to 890 ppm CO 2 from preconception to adulthood using a mouse model. METHODS: We exposed mice to CO 2 ( ∼ 890 ppm) from prepregnancy, through the in utero and early life periods, until 3 months of age, at which point we assessed respiratory function using the forced oscillation technique, and lung structure. RESULTS: CO 2 exposure resulted in a range of respiratory impairments, particularly in female mice, including higher tissue elastance, longer chord length, and lower lung compliance. Importantly, we also assessed the lung function of the dams that gave birth to our experimental subjects. Even though these mice had been exposed to the same level of increased CO 2 for a similar amount of time ( ∼ 8 wk), we measured no impairments in lung function. This suggests that the early life period, when lungs are undergoing rapid growth and development, is particularly sensitive to CO 2 . DISCUSSION: To the best of our knowledge, this study, for the first time, shows that long-term exposure to environmentally relevant levels of CO 2 can impact respiratory function in the mouse.