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Research into second hand emissions from cigarettes and e-cigarettes (Abstract) has found that while there is a tenfold decrease in overall exposure to carcinogenic particulate matter from e-cigarettes compared to cigarettes, there were increased levels of certain toxic metals. The researchers noted that more of this came from the device itself as opposed to the liquid used in the device.
In recent years, electronic cigarettes have gained increasing popularity as alternatives to normal (tobacco-containing) cigarettes. In the present study, particles generated by e-cigarettes and normal cigarettes have been analyzed and the degree of exposure to different chemical agents and their emission rates were quantified. Despite the 10-fold decrease in the total exposure to particulate elements in e-cigarettes compared to normal cigarettes, specific metals (e.g. Ni and Ag) still displayed a higher emission rate from e-cigarettes. Further analysis indicated that the contribution of e-liquid to the emission of these metals is rather minimal, implying that they likely originate from other components of the e-cigarette device or other indoor sources. Organic species had lower emission rates during e-cigarette consumption compared to normal cigarettes. Of particular note was the non-detectable emission of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from e-cigarettes, while substantial emission of these species was observed from normal cigarettes. Overall, with the exception of Ni, Zn, and Ag, the consumption of e-cigarettes resulted in a remarkable decrease in secondhand exposure to all metals and organic compounds. Implementing quality control protocols on the manufacture of e-cigarettes would further minimize the emission of metals from these devices and improve their safety and associated health effects.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Vanderhoth on Friday August 29 2014, @07:10PM
The real reason e-cigs are dangerous is that they're purposely made as a gateway to smoking cigarettes.
I don't disagree with either of these statements, I do think e-cigs are actually a tobacco industry product that they're trying to be disconnected from. Mainly because the tobacco industry is KNOWN to have liked and has a hugely negative image so they know if people directly associated e-cigs with them it would be game over. Tobacco is so heavily regulated now and the industries hands are so tightly tied in terms of advertising and what not if they're going to survive they need a new product that's not regulated where they can get a whole new generation addicted to their product. Enter e-cigs.
I do disagree with this. If smokers are making a choice to switch, I don't really consider it quitting its just replacing one product with another, to a much less harmful, for everyone, addiction then it should be encouraged and ostracizing them is just going to drive them back to tobacco. Kids on the other hand should be discouraged from day one from starting, I got hooked because I had heavy smokers for parents and friends that I wanted to "be cool with". I was 14 when I started and had no idea what I was getting into, which is what the tobacco industry was banking on when they advertised to kids.
"Now we know", "And knowing is half the battle". -G.I. Joooooe