Faculty Collaboration Database

Evaluating the Toxicity of Electronic Cigarette Aerosols for Firsthand and Secondhand Exposure Under Different Device Operating Conditions. Chem Res Toxicol 2025 Aug 18;38(8):1344-1356

Date

08/07/2025

Pubmed ID

40771151

DOI

10.1021/acs.chemrestox.5c00064

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-105013761027 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   2 Citations

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of electronic cigarettes (ECs) has raised significant concerns about their potential health effects on both users and bystanders. This study systematically investigates the impact of EC aerosol exposure on human alveolar epithelial cells (A549), considering variations in device parameters, nicotine concentration, and exposure type. Using a gravity-based air-liquid interface exposure system, we assessed cytotoxicity and epithelial barrier integrity by measuring cell viability and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Our results indicate that EC aerosol exposure significantly reduces cell viability and disrupts monolayer integrity in a dose- and device-dependent manner. Notably, VUSE (pod-type) exposure led to a 16% decrease in viability and a 41% reduction in TEER, while VOOPOO (mod-type) exposure caused a 25% viability loss and a 61% reduction in TEER. Power settings played a critical role: at 60 W, cell viability dropped by 48% at 12 mg/mL nicotine concentration compared to 29% at 0 mg/mL. Moreover, under the same number of puffs (30 puffs), firsthand exposure resulted in a 73% viability decrease, whereas secondhand exposure showed a 47% reduction, indicating substantial bystander risks associated with EC usage. These findings underscore the importance of device specifications and exposure conditions in determining EC aerosol toxicity. The observed epithelial barrier disruption suggests increased vulnerability to respiratory diseases. Given the comparable toxicity of firsthand and secondhand aerosols, regulatory measures should extend beyond direct users to include bystander protection. This study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive toxicity assessments to inform public health policies on EC use.

Author List

Kapiamba KF, Chuang HY, Hao W, Lin TC, Chen LC, Huang YW, Wang Y

Author

Hsin-Yin Chuang Postdoctoral Researcher in the Biomedical Engineering department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

A549 Cells
Aerosols
Cell Survival
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
Humans
Nicotine
Tobacco Smoke Pollution