Development of a sampling method for carbonyl compounds released due to the use of electronic cigarettes and quantitation of their conversion from liquid to aerosol

In this study, an experimental method for the collection and analysis of carbonyl compounds (CCs) released due to the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or ECs) was developed and validated through a series of laboratory experiments. As part of this work, the conversion of CCs from a refill solution (e-solution) to aerosol also was investigated based on mass change tracking (MCT) approach. Aerosol samples generated from an e-cigarette were collected manually using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) cartridges at a constant sampling (puffing) velocity of 1 L min−1 with the following puff conditions: puff duration (2 s), interpuff interval (10 s), and puff number (5, 10, and 15 times). The MCT approach allowed us to improve the sampling of CCs through critical evaluation of the puff conditions in relation to the consumed quantities of refill solution. The emission concentrations of CCs remained constant when e-cigarettes were sampled at or above 10 puff. Upon aerosolization, the concentrations of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde increased 6.23- and 58.4-fold, respectively, relative to their concentrations in e-solution. Furthermore, a number of CCs were found to be present in the aerosol samples which were not detected in the initial e-solution (e.g., acetone, butyraldehyde, and o-tolualdehyde).