Khaberni - Scientists at the University of California, Riverside found that heating the main component of most electronic cigarette liquids can lead to the formation of two toxic chemical compounds that damage human lung cells.
These compounds are "methyl glyoxal" and "acetaldehyde", which can form when heating liquids containing "propylene glycol".
Using human airway tissues cultured in the lab, scientists exposed the cells to realistic levels of each compound and monitored their response. Both compounds disrupted the cells' fundamental functions, but "methyl glyoxal" caused more significant damage at much lower concentrations. It interfered with the mitochondria, the structures responsible for generating energy within cells, and weakened the cellular structure of "actin," which maintains the shape and strength of cells.
Professor Prue Talbot, the lead author of the study and a graduate studies professor, said, "These changes are signs of stress and injury, which could lead to long-term health issues if repeated during electronic smoking".
She added that "acetaldehyde" had previously received more attention due to its higher levels in the vapor of electronic cigarettes and is a known component associated with lung diseases. However, she emphasized that "methyl glyoxal" could be more toxic, despite its lower quantities.
Man Wong, a graduate student and the primary author of the study, noted that low-energy electronic cigarette devices, which are believed to be safer, could produce higher levels of "methyl glyoxal".
He added: "Since almost all electronic cigarettes use 'propylene glycol', understanding how these byproducts form and their impact on cells is crucial for assessing the long-term health risks".
The study also showed that short-term exposure to these chemicals could alter cellular pathways associated with energy production, DNA repair, and structural integrity of the cells.
Wong said: "Our work helps explain how chemicals associated with electronic smoking contribute to lung injuries, and we hope that this research will guide future studies and safety evaluations for electronic cigarette products".
