DOI: 10.60752/102376.29137658.v1
title: Research data on volatile organic compound emissions from e-cigarettes

description: <b>Introduction</b>E-cigarettes or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have gained popularity especially among young adults and adolescents, even though they are promoted as a safe alternative of traditional cigarettes, studies have found that e-cigarettes generate aerosols that contain harmful components.<sup>1–4</sup> Among the complex emission mixtures, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be hazardous and may induce short- and/or long-term adverse health effects. Therefore, it is important to understand the VOC emissions from vaping activities, which sets a foundation for assessing the health impacts of ENDS users and bystanders. Chemical Insights, a unit of UL Research Institutes, has conducted a research initiative on characterizing VOC emissions from different types of e-cigarettes. To increase data transparency and share useful information, these research data are made available to stakeholders such as researchers, educators, and general public who may need VOC emission data.<b>Methods</b>VOC emissions from each puffing activity were evaluated using validated exposure chambers which operated at static status; mainstream emissions from e-cigarettes were generated using a custom-made automatic device that controls the puffing topography.<sup>1,5</sup> VOCs were collected on Tenax® TA (60/80 mesh) sorbent tubes and then thermally desorbed and analyzed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) following the US EPA Methods TO-17<sup>6</sup> and TO-1<sup>7</sup>. Individual VOCs were quantified using multi-point calibration curves with authentic standards if available. Total VOC (TVOC) was the sum of toluene equivalent response in C<sub>6</sub> to C<sub>16</sub> range. Low-molecular-weight carbonyls (aldehydes) samples were collected on 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) cartridges and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) following EPA Method TO-11A<sup>8</sup>. The laboratory quality program enables the accuracy of the identification and quantification of analyzed VOCs and aldehydes. Emission factor of each VOC was calculated using the measurement data and normalized to puff numbers.<sup>1,3</sup><b>Database</b>This database provides VOC emission profiles from popular e-cigarettes that are available in the market, including pod types, mod types, and disposable types, with various e-liquid flavors. This database can be used as generic information to learn the facts of vaping. In addition, this primary emission information can be used for further health-related studies and estimating second-hand exposure. <b>Please see </b><b>ULRI_ECIG_NOTE file</b><b> for details of data dictionary.</b><b>Data portal</b>The data portal provides an interactive way of viewing and screening data by selecting the parameters of interest. Users can download the data as needed.<b>References</b>Jeon, J.; He, X.; Shinde, A.; Meister, M.; Barnett, L.; Zhang, Q.; Black, M.; Shannahan, J.; Wright, C. The Role of Puff Volume in Vaping Emissions, Inhalation Risks, and Metabolic Perturbations: A Pilot Study. <i>Sci Rep</i> <b>2024</b>, <i>14</i> (1), 18949. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-69985-1.He, X.; Meister, M.; Jeon, J.; Shinde, A.; Zhang, Q.; Chepaitis, P.; Black, M.; Shannahan, J.; Wright, C. Multi-Omics Assessment of Puff Volume-Mediated Salivary Biomarkers of Metal Exposure and Oxidative Injury Associated with Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems. <i>Environmental Health Perspectives</i> <b>2025</b>, <i>133</i> (1), 017005. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14321.Jeon, J.; Zhang, Q.; Chepaitis, P. S.; Greenwald, R.; Black, M.; Wright, C. Toxicological Assessment of Particulate and Metal Hazards Associated with Vaping Frequency and Device Age. <i>Toxics</i> <b>2023</b>, <i>11</i> (2), 155. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11020155.He, X.; Meister, M.; Jeon, J.; Alqahtani, S.; Cushenan, P.; Weaver, S.; Luo, R.; Black, M.; Shannahan, J.; Wright, C. Unveiling Oral Health Impacts of Vaping in African Americans through Untargeted Metabolomics and Proteomics. <i>Environ. Health</i> <b>2025</b>. https://doi.org/10.1021/envhealth.4c00276.Zhang, Q.; Jeon, J.; Goldsmith, T.; Black, M.; Greenwald, R.; Wright, C. Characterization of an Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) Aerosol Generation Platform to Determine Exposure Risks. <i>Toxics</i> <b>2023</b>, 11 (2), 99. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics11020099.US EPA. Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air Second Edition Compendium Method TO-17 Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Ambient Air Using Active Sampling Onto Sorbent Tubes, <b>1999</b>.US EPA. Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air - Second Edition. Compendium Method TO-1 Method for the Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in Ambient Air Using Tenax® Adsorption and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), <b>1999</b>.US EPA. Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Toxic Organic Compounds in Ambient Air Second Edition Compendium Method TO-11A Determination of Formaldehyde in Ambient Air Using Adsorbent Cartridge Followed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), <b>1999</b>.<br>