Targeted Characterization of the Chemical Composition of JUUL Systems Aerosol and Comparison with 3R4F Reference Cigarettes and IQOS Heat Sticks

Abstract

Aerosol constituent yields have been reported from a wide range of electronic nicotine delivery systems. No comprehensive study has been published on the aerosol constituents generated from the JUUL system. Targeted analyses of 53 aerosol constituents from the four JUUL products currently on the US market (Virginia Tobacco and Menthol flavored e-liquids in both 5.0% and 3.0% nicotine concentration by weight) was performed using non-intense and intense puffing regimens. All measurements were conducted by an ISO 17025 accredited contract research organization. JUUL product aerosol constituents were compared to published values for the 3R4F research cigarette and IQOS Regular and Menthol heated tobacco products. Across the four JUUL products and two puffing regimes, only 10/53 analytes were quantifiable, including only two carbonyls (known propylene glycol or glycerol degradants). The remaining analytes were primary ingredients, nicotine degradants and water. Average analyte reductions (excluding primary ingredients and water) for all four JUUL system aerosols tested were greater than 98% lower than 3R4F mainstream smoke, and greater than 88% lower than IQOS aerosol. In summary, chemical characterization and evaluation of JUUL product aerosols demonstrates a significant reduction in toxicants when compared to mainstream cigarette smoke from 3R4F reference cigarettes or aerosols from IQOS-heated tobacco products.

Ultrasonic Cigarettes: Chemicals and Cytotoxicity are Similar to Heated-Coil Pod-Style Electronic Cigarettes

“…An unexpected finding was the relatively high concentration of aldehydes in SURGE products. While fluid concentrations of aldehydes would be similar for all users and were high in SURGE compared to other 4th generation products, [48][49][50][51][53][54][55][56]84 numerous factors such as e-cigarette brand, solvent, heat, power, ingredients, user topography, and metals in atomizers can influence aldehyde concentrations in aerosols. 1,37,43,46,48,54,57,72,85,86 For example, the average concentrations of methylglyoxal (45 µg/mL) and glyoxal (31 µg/mL) in the unvaped SURGE fluids were much higher than concentrations reported in ecigarette aerosols (methylglyoxal = 0.006 µg/mL and glyoxal = 0.001 µg/mL).…”

“…Aldehyde concentrations in SURGE fluids and aerosols were compared to "JUUL" and "Other Brands," which included Ezzy Oval, Hyde, Puff Bar, and SEA (Figure 4). [43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58] Methylglyoxal and glyoxal were significantly higher in SURGE fluids and aerosols than in aerosols from JUUL and "Other Brands" (Figures 4 A, C). Glyceraldehyde was significantly higher in SURGE aerosols than in unvaped fluids (Figure 4B).…”

Aerosol emissions from Heated Tobacco Products: a review focusing on carbonyls, analytical methods and experimental quality

“…This is alarming, but the actual measured glycidol quantities show that there is no reason for concern. From Table 5 of [81], the glycidol levels are 0.00084 (3R4F) and 0.0043 (IQOS) normalized with nicotine yield (0.172 mg/puff), leading to 0.14 µg/puff (3R4F) and 0.73 µg/puff (IQOS)-considering 300 daily puffs (150 puffs in 8 h) leads to a glycidol dose from IQOS of 0.109 mg, which is well below (3 orders of magnitude) the occupational safety threshold of 40.67 mg shown in Table 5.…”

Critical Review of the Recent Literature on Organic Byproducts in E-Cigarette Aerosol Emissions

“…Chen et al This comprehensive study [28] of Juul emissions by from Juul Labs, tested 4 Juul devices in terms of 4 product combinations available in the US market in 2021: nicotine concentrations 35/59 mg/mL in two favors: Virginia Tobacco (VT) and Menthol (Me). Carbonyls are in the Group I of analytes based on FDA guidance for in its Pre Market Tobacco Authorization (PMTA) process for vaping products.…”