Flavored Vapes Might Expose Users to Hundreds of Dangerous Byproducts
Emily Harris, 7 June 2024. JAMA. 2024;332(1):7. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.10326
The researchers used artificial intelligence to predict what would happen when 180 substances known to be present in flavored e-cigarettes are exposed to high temperatures.
According to their findings, the representative chemicals would transform into 127 acutely toxic products, 153 compounds that are health hazards, and 225 chemicals categorized as irritants based on the Globally Harmonized System classifications.
Original article: Kishimoto, A., Wu, D. & O’Shea, D.F. Forecasting vaping health risks through neural network model prediction of flavor pyrolysis reactions. Sci Rep 14, 9591 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-59619-x
Comment: Several research studies have shown that flavored tobacco products, because of the heating of flavorants, can produce “acutely toxic products” as well as irritants. Consumer preference does not justify flavorant use when evidence shows multiple harms resulting from the use of heated tobacco products such as e-cigarettes.
Stephen Hamann
