1. SETTING THE QUALITY AND SAFETY STANDARDS FOR NOVEL TOBACCO PRODUCTS
SRNT-E Satellite Symposium: Comparing Regulations on Tobacco and Nicotine Products
Maciej L. Goniewicz

2. DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
Maciej L. Goniewicz
I have the following financial relationships to disclose:
In 2011, I was awarded the Global Research Award for Nicotine Dependence (GRAND). This is an independently-reviewed competitive grants program supported by Pfizer, manufacturer of smoking cessation medications. That award was paid to my former employer, Queen Mary University of London, UK. The research project supported by GRAND award was completed in 2013.
I have no financial relationships with manufacturers, distributors, or retailers of e-cigarettes and tobacco industry.
I will not discuss off label use and investigational use in my presentation.

3. INGREDIENTS

4. SOURCE OF TOXICANTS IN E-CIGARETTES
PRESENT IN THE PRODUCT
Impurities in solvents
technical vs. pharmaceutical grade (USP)
Impurities in nicotine
Flavors and additives
Impurities in flavor extracts or additives
Contaminants from manufacturing process
Contaminants from storage containers
Degradation byproducts
Substances introduced by retailers
GENERATED DURING USE
Byproducts of thermal degradation
Degradation byproducts generated during storage
Impurities from storage
Substances introduced by users

5. IMPURITIES IN SOLVENTS
US Food and Drug Administration Study (2009)
Diethylene glycol is highly toxic and affects renal and neurological functions.
FDA conducted a preliminary analysis on 18 samples of e-cigarettes and components from two US leading brands.
Out of those 18 samples, one product was tested positive for about 1% diethylene glycol.
Hutzler et al. Arch Toxicol 2014
Ethylene glycol
TOXIC
Diethylene glycol
HIGHLY TOXIC
Poliethylene glycol (PEG) SAFE
German Federal Institute For Risk Assessment Study
Ethylene glycol affects the central nervous system (CNS), heart, and the kidneys.
Ethylene glycol was detected in 13 out of 28 liquid samples.
Ethylene glycol occasionally is used to replace glycerol and propylene glycol in e-liquids.

6. Tobacco Specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs)
IMPURITIES IN NICOTINE
Tobacco Specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs)
Product
NNN
NNK
NAT
NAB
Total
Nicorette gum (ng/gum)
2.00 ND
Nicoderm patch (ng/patch)
8.00
E-cigarettes (ng/g)
3.87
1.46
2.16
0.69
8.18
Swedish Snus (ng/g)
980
180
790 60
2010
Marlboro (Ultra-light) (ng/g)
2900
750
1100 58
4808
Marlboro (Red) (ng/g)
960
2300
100
6260
Cahn et al. J Pub Health Pol 2010

7. FLAVORS AND ADDITIVES IN LIQUIDS DIACETYL (2,3-BUTANEDIONE)
ACETYL PROPIONYL (2,3-PENTANEDIONE)
Approved and safe when ingested (GRAS) but inhalation of DA has been associated with decline in respiratory function, development of bronchiolitis obliterans (“popcorn lung disease”).
DA and AP were measured in 159 nicotine solutions, including 81 products purchased in the United States, and in aerosol produced by an e-cigarette.
DA and AP were found in 74.2% of the samples, mostly in sweet-flavored liquids.
Similar concentrations were found in liquid and aerosol for both chemicals.
Farsalinos et al. Nicotine Tob Res 2014

8. CARBONYLS IN E-CIGARETTE AEROSOL
E-cigarette aerosol contains toxic and carcinogenic carbonyl compounds.
Formaldehyde is classified by IARC as a human carcinogen (Group 1), and acetaldehyde as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B)
Both solvent and battery output voltage significantly affect levels of carbonyl compounds in e-cigarette aerosol.
High-power e-cigarettes may expose users to high levels of carbonyl compounds.
Kosmider et al. Nicotine Tob Res 2014

10. STRATEGIES TO REDUCE TOXICANT LEVELS IN E-CIGARETTES
Source
Potential Approach
Impurities in solvents
Use of USP grade solvents (standards)
Impurities in nicotine
Use of pure nicotine (standards)
Flavors and additives
Testing for inhalation toxicity (standards)
Disclosing chemical constituents
Approval process
Contaminants from manufacturing process
Good Manufacturing Process (GMP)
Contaminants from storage containers
Inert, airtight and light-resistant containers (standards)
Degradation byproducts
Proper labelling (storage indications)
Safe packaging (standards)
Substances introduced by retailers
Sealed packages and bottles
Byproducts of thermal degradation
Threshold for vaporization temperature/battery power/voltage (product standards)
Substances introduced by users
Tightly-closed containers and bottles (standards)

11. PRODUCT
TESTING

12. ANALYTICAL METHODS USED IN E-CIGARETTE TESTING
Famele et al. Nicotine Tob Res 2014

13. INHALATION TOXICITY TESTING CASE OF ACETALDEHYDE
INGESTION
Acetaldehyde is a potent volatile flavoring compound found in many beverages and foods
Health effects: Only acute symptoms: dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
GRAS Classification
Acetaldehyde is listed by the FDA as a synthetic flavoring substance that is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for its intended use (21 CFR )
INHALATION
Acetaldehyde at low levels gives a pleasant fruity aroma, but at high concentrations it possesses a pungent irritating odor
Health Effects: Irritation of eyes, nose, throat, skin; narcosis; pulmonary edema
Carcinogenic Classification:
EPA: Group B2, probable human carcinogen
IARC: Group 2B, possibly carcinogenic to humans
NTP: Reasonably Anticipated to be Human Carcinogen

14. PACKAGING

15. IMPORTANCE OF PACKAGING
The quality of the packaging of e-cigarettes and nicotine products plays a very important role in the quality and safety of such products.
The kind of packaging and the materials used must be chosen in such a way that:
the packaging itself does not have an adverse effect on the product (e.g. through chemical reactions, leaching of packaging materials or absorption);
the product does not have an adverse effect on the packaging, changing its properties or affecting its protective function.
Proper packaging should:
protect against all adverse external influences that can alter the properties of the product, e.g. moisture, light, oxygen and temperature variations;
protect against biological contamination;
protect against physical damage;
carry the correct information and identification of the product.

16. LABELING

17. PRODUCT LABELING

18. Source: http://www.collegept.org/Physiotherapists/pc/RiskContinuum