Risk assessment of inhaled diacetyl from electronic cigarette use among teens and adults.

Abstract

Diacetyl (C4H6O2) is a toxicant commonly found in electronic cigarettes (e-Cigs) as a flavoring component and an enhancer of e-juices. Lung injury in current and former workers in popcorn manufacturing suggests a possible association with diacetyl inhalation exposure. Although the number of e-Cig users continues to rise steadily among the teens and adults, the potential risk of pulmonary disease has not been characterized. A systematic review of the open literature identified bronchiolitis obliterans-a pathological inflammation resulting in fibrosis of the bronchioles leading to an irreversible limitation to airflow in lungs-as the primary outcome of diacetyl exposures. Following the deterministic United States National Research Council/Environmental Protection Agency's risk assessment framework, that consists of four key steps: hazard identification, dose-response assessment, exposure assessment and risk characterization, we estimated noncarcinogenic (systemic) risks using a Hazard Quotient (HQ) approach upon exposure to diacetyl among teens and adults who use e-Cigs. Based on the NIOSH Benchmark Dose (BMD; 0.0175 mg/kg-day) and modelled Average Daily Doses (ADDs; range 0.11-5.2 mg/kg-day), we estimated 12 different HQ values-a measure of non-carcinogenic risk for diacetyl inhalation exposures-all of which were greater than 1 (range 6.2875-297.1429), suggesting a significantly higher non-carcinogenic risk from diacetyl exposures among the teens and adults who use e-Cigs. These results underscore the need to regulate e-Cigs to protect teens and adults from diacetyl exposures and risk of developing lung injuries, including bronchiolitis obliterans.

• Authors: Avian V White, David W Wambui, Lok R Pokhrel
• Journal: The Science of the total environment (Sci Total Environ) Vol. 772 Pg. 145486 (Jun 10 2021) ISSN: 1879-1026 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 33770882 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Systematic Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Flavoring Agents
• Diacetyl

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Diacetyl (adverse effects)
• Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
• Flavoring Agents (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Occupational Exposure
• Risk Assessment
• United States
• Vaping