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Exposure to Nicotine and Selected Toxicants in Cigarette Smokers Who Switched to Electronic Cigarettes: A Longitudinal Within-Subjects Observational Study
- Source :
- Nicotine & Tobacco Research. 19:160-167
- Publication Year :
- 2016
- Publisher :
- Oxford University Press (OUP), 2016.
-
Abstract
- Author(s): Goniewicz, Maciej L; Gawron, Michal; Smith, Danielle M; Peng, Margaret; Jacob, Peyton; Benowitz, Neal L | Abstract: IntroductionElectronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are purported to deliver nicotine aerosol without any toxic combustion products present in tobacco smoke. In this longitudinal within-subjects observational study, we evaluated the effects of e-cigarettes on nicotine delivery and exposure to selected carcinogens and toxicants.MethodsWe measured seven nicotine metabolites and 17 tobacco smoke exposure biomarkers in the urine samples of 20 smokers collected before and after switching to pen-style M201 e-cigarettes for 2 weeks. Biomarkers were metabolites of 13 major carcinogens and toxicants in cigarette smoke: one tobacco-specific nitrosamine (NNK), eight volatile organic compounds (1,3-butadiene, crotonaldehyde, acrolein, benzene, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, ethylene oxide, and propylene oxide), and four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene). Changes in urine biomarkers concentration were tested using repeated measures analysis of variance.ResultsIn total, 45% of participants reported complete abstinence from cigarette smoking at 2 weeks, while 55% reported continued smoking. Levels of total nicotine and some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites did not change after switching from tobacco to e-cigarettes. All other biomarkers significantly decreased after 1 week of using e-cigarettes (p l .05). After 1 week, the greatest percentage reductions in biomarkers levels were observed for metabolites of 1,3-butadiene, benzene, and acrylonitrile. Total NNAL, a metabolite of NNK, declined by 57% and 64% after 1 and 2 weeks, respectively, while 3-hydroxyfluorene levels declined by 46% at week 1, and 34% at week 2.ConclusionsAfter switching from tobacco to e-cigarettes, nicotine exposure remains unchanged, while exposure to selected carcinogens and toxicants is substantially reduced.ImplicationsTo our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates that substituting tobacco cigarettes with an e-cigarette may reduce user exposure to numerous toxicants and carcinogens otherwise present in tobacco cigarettes. Data on reduced exposure to harmful constituents that are present in tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes can aid in evaluating e-cigarettes as a potential harm reduction device.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
Nicotine
Metabolite
medicine.medical_treatment
Physiology
Smoking Prevention
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
Tobacco smoke
Toxicology
Young Adult
03 medical and health sciences
chemistry.chemical_compound
0302 clinical medicine
Surveys and Questionnaires
medicine
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
030212 general & internal medicine
Pack-year
Carcinogen
Original Investigation
business.industry
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Middle Aged
chemistry
Nitrosamine
Carcinogens
Smoking cessation
Female
Smoking Cessation
Poland
business
Biomarkers
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Toxicant
medicine.drug
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 1469994X and 14622203
- Volume :
- 19
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Nicotine & Tobacco Research
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....96fb7981f411e82848178f9385e00008