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TSRC, Tob. Sci. Res. Conf., 2019, 73, abstr. 106

Preclinical testing of flavors in e-vapor products - Part 4: Flavor transfer from the liquid to the aerosol for inhalation exposure

ZHANG Jingjie; SMITH C.; ANDERSON C.; McCUTCHEON N.; MILLER J.H.; LEE K.M.
Altria Client Services, Richmond, VA, USA

Many flavor compounds used in e-liquids are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for oral consumption. However, the respiratory effects of flavors in e-vapor aerosols are unknown. Preclinical inhalation studies can provide toxicity data to assess the inhalation risk of flavors in e-vapor aerosols. The purpose of this study is to generate and characterize the aerosols from e-liquids formulated with selected flavor mixtures as well as confirm the flavor transfers from the e-liquid to the aerosol. The flavor mixtures containing 38 flavor ingredients, with and without nicotine, in a carrier matrix of propylene glycol (PG), glycerin, and water were aerosolized by a capillary aerosol generator. The generated aerosol was collected with a Cambridge filter pad with a liquid impinger containing ethanol in series for flavor analysis. The aerosol mass was determined gravimetrically. 22 out of 38 flavors were analyzed with a GC/MS method. In addition, the major components of the carrier matrix (PG and glycerin), nicotine, selected carbonyls, pH, as well as the particle size distribution of the aerosol were measured. Results showed that 1) all the 22 monitored flavors were found in the aerosol for both formulations with or without nicotine; 2) PG, glycerin, and nicotine content, as well as pH of the aerosol were consistent with those of the e-liquid; 3) levels of selected carbonyls were low and comparable to the ranges reported on e-vapor aerosols in literatures; 4) mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of the aerosol was around 1 µm with the geometric standard deviation (GSD) < 2 for both formulations. This study provides a preliminary characterization of the e-vapor aerosol and demonstrated the transfer of flavors from the e-liquid to the aerosol.