U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Funding & Awards
 Through the Looking Glass Part II: Abuse of the Evolving Electronic Cigarette and the Impact of Vaping Ethanol in the Evaluation of Impairment
Award Information
Awardee
              VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
Award #
              2019-MU-MU-0007
Funding Category
              Competitive Discretionary
Location
                    RICHMOND, VA
Congressional District
              4
Status
              Open
Funding First Awarded
              2019
Total funding (to date)
              $1,241,355
Original Solicitation
              Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes, FY 2019
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2019, $1,241,355)
Electronic cigarettes have been shown to produce fine and ultra-fine aerosol particles facilitating the absorption of drugs into the bloodstream. E-cigarettes are advertised to be a healthier alternative to cigarette smoking, but current generations are customizable, opening an avenue for abuse potential with Drugs Other Than Nicotine (DOTNs). E-cigarette models continue to evolve, allowing users to vape a wider variety of substances, such as waxes, resins, and solid plant materials and to also conceal the devices more effectively. Several publications have also demonstrated e-liquids to contain a range of ethanol concentrations, as high as 23% ethanol. Vaping (inhaling) ethanol absorbs and distributes differently than is understood when drinking ethanol. The impact of vaping ethanol on the pharmacokinetics of ethanol will be evaluated at two critical points, during absorption and elimination.
The two types of evidentiary breath alcohol testing equipment, the fuel cell and the infrared analyzers, will be evaluated for potential interferences from chemicals produced in an e-cigarette aerosol and exhaled into the instrument. A collaboration with the Virginia Department of Forensic Science and the VCU Police Department will facilitate the administration of the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests and breath analyses. Blood, urine, and oral fluid will be collected and analyzed in order to evaluate the correlation of ethanol biomarkers and impact of vaping and any influence to impairment from vaping ethanol.
Finally, continual evolution of e-cigarette devices and vaping products will be monitored and characterized as they continue to be promoted on internet sites as effective devices for consuming DOTNs. The results of this research will support the collection and interpretation of evidence performed roadside and will support forensic toxicologists as they testify.
Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law, and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14).
CA/NCF



  
Grant-Funded Publications
        
                      Survey of US Residents and Their Usage of Electronic Cigarettes with Drugs Other Than Nicotine
                  The history, evolution, and practice of cannabis and E-cigarette industries highlight necessary public health and public safety considerations
                  The Impact of Vaping Ethanol-Containing Electronic Cigarette Liquids on Roadside Impairment Investigations
                  Impact of tobacco flavoring on oral nicotine consumption in C57BL/6J mice
                  A determination of the aerosolization efficiency of drugs of abuse in a eutectic mixture with nicotine in electronic cigarettes
                  Delta(8)-THC, THC-O Acetates and CBD-di-O Acetate: Emerging Synthetic Cannabinoids Found in Commercially Sold Plant Material and Gummy Edibles
                  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
                  Identification of Gamma-Butyrolactone in JUUL Liquids

  
Date Created: September 16, 2019
    
          Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              Current Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Forthcoming Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Expired Funding
    
      
            
            
            
      Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
    
      
            
            
            
      Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
    
      
            
            
            
      Fellowship & Student Programs
    
      
            
            
            
      Travel Scholarships
    
      
            
            
            
      NIJ Challenge ProgramSimilar Awards
        
                      Extreme Risk Protection Orders, Leakage, and Social Networks: The Legislative, Behavioral, and Social Contexts Surrounding Mass Public Shooting Incidents and Plots
                  Mechanics of Retinal Hemmorhage in Abusive Head Trauma
                  Empirical Analysis of Saw Mark Characteristics in Human Bone: Meeting Forensic Standards in Dismemberment Cases
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov