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                            Funding & Awards
 Characterization and Abuse of Electronic Cigarettes: The Efficacy of  a Personal Vaporizer as an Illicit Drug Delivery System
Award Information
Awardee
              Virginia Commonwealth University
Award #
              2014-R2-CX-K010
Funding Category
              Competitive
Location
                    Richmond, VA
Congressional District
              4
Status
              Closed
Funding First Awarded
              2014
Total funding (to date)
              $339,126
Original Solicitation
              NIJ FY 14 Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2014, $339,126)
As submitted by the proposer: Electronic cigarettes have been identified as a significant hazard to public health as a delivery device for nicotine. The use of electronic cigarettes as an illicit drug delivery system is promoted on websites and presents a clear criminal justice concern in the United States. Since web forums explain methods to improve illicit drug dosing in the e-cigarette aerosol by increasing power or making DIY formulations, the purpose of this research will be to characterize electronic cigarettes and describe the efficacy with which they can deliver drugs, such as nicotine, THC, methamphetamine, and heroin. This research will be conducted through a collaborative effort between the Departments of Forensic Science, Chemistry, Pharmacology-Toxicology, and the VCU Health System Toxicology Laboratory in order to bring wide experience and analytical strength to the project. Electronic cigarettes and supplies will be disassembled and components will be defined and characterized. The concentration of drug in the e-cig vapor will be characterized as a function of wattage/temperature of the heating element in the e-cigarette. Pyrolysis products and potential bio-markers will also be assessed. Aerosol from the electronic cigarettes will be generated mechanically and drugs will be cold-trapped and collected on SPME fibers. Residue on the e-cigarette components will be analyzed. Analyses will be conducted on the Direct Analysis in Real Time Accu-TOF MS, LC-MS/MS, and dynamic headspace GC-MS. All methods will be validated and studies will be conducted in accordance with the Scientific Working Groups for Forensic Toxicology (SWGTOX) and the Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG). Outcomes will be disseminated through AAFS and SOFT platform and poster presentations, a workshop for forensic science practitioners, and manuscripts submitted for publication in relevant forensic science journals. Quarterly reports will be submitted to the project manager.
ca/ncf



  
Grant-Funded Publications
        
                      Five Things About Vaping and Electronic Cigarettes
                  Cannabinoid-based vaping products and supplement formulations reported by consumers to precipitate adverse effects
                  A Retrospective Analysis of Chemical Constituents in Regulated and Unregulated E-Cigarette Liquids
                  Characterization of E-cigarette coil temperature and toxic metal analysis by infrared temperature sensing and scanning electron microscopy - energy-dispersive X-ray
                  The Analysis of Aerosolized Methamphetamine From E-cigarettes Using High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
                  Characterization and Abuse of Electronic Cigarettes: The Efficacy of "Personal Vaporizers" as an Illicit Drug Delivery System
                  Evaluation of Nicotine and the Components of e-Liquids Generated From e-Cigarette Aerosols
                  Identification of MDMB-FUBINACA in Commercially Available E-liquid Formulations Sold for Use in Electronic Cigarettes
                  Ethanol Concentration in 56 Refillable Electronic Cigarettes Liquid Formulations Determined by Headspace Gas Chromatography With Flame Ionization Detector (HS-GC-FID)
                  The Blue Lotus Flower (Nymphea caerulea) Resin Used in a New Type of Electronic Cigarette, the Re-Buildable Dripping Atomizer
                  Evaluation of Two Commercially Available Cannabidiol Formulations for Use in Electronic Cigarettes
                  Concentration of Nicotine and Glycols in 27 Electronic Cigarette Formulations
                  Analysis of a Commercial Marijuana e-Cigarette Formulation




  
Grant-Funded Events
        
                      Controlled Substances & Toxicology
                  Vaping in the Weeds: The Merging of the E-cigarette and Cannabis Industries

  
Date Created: September 11, 2014
    
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