U.S. flag An official website of the United States government

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  1. Home
  2. Tobacco Products
  3. Tobacco Science & Research
  4. Research
  5. Effect of Temperature-Dependent Heating On E-Liquid Aerosol Composition and of the Resulting Aerosols on Lung Function
  1. Research

Effect of Temperature-Dependent Heating On E-Liquid Aerosol Composition and of the Resulting Aerosols on Lung Function

Principal Investigator: Robert Tarran

Funding Mechanism: National Institutes of Health - Grant

ID number: 3 P50 HL120100-03S1

Award Date: 9/15/2015

Institution: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The heating of e-cigarette liquids can generate new and potentially toxic chemicals, and temperature is a major factor in causing e-liquid ingredient decomposition. The goal of this project is to determine the effect of temperature-dependent heating on e-liquid aerosol composition, and to evaluate the biological effects of the resulting aerosols on lung function. Specific aims are: (1) to determine the aerosol composition of e-liquids subjected to different temperatures; and (2) to determine the biologic effects of aerosols resulting from different temperatures on airway epithelial and macrophage function. To address Aim 1, researchers will generate vapors from four e-cigarette liquids (i.e., two e-cigarette liquids [menthol tobacco and vanilla tobacco] with and without nicotine) at different temperatures and will analyze the resulting aerosols using mass spectrometry techniques. To address Aim 2, researchers will measure the effects of the aerosols on cell growth, signaling, viability, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses on human airway epithelial cells.  Study findings may inform regulatory activities related to e-cigarettes.

Back to Top