Abstract

An electronic cigarette is a rechargeable device that produces an inhaled aerosol containing varying levels of nicotine, and inorganic and organic toxicants and carcinogenic compounds. The aerosol is generated by heating a solution of propylene glycol and glycerin with nicotine and flavoring ingredients at a high temperature. The e-cigarette was developed and marketed as a safer alternative to the regular cigarette which is known to be injurious to human health. However, published studies suggest that the aerosol of e-cigarette can also have adverse health effects. The main objective of this review is to briefly describe some consequences of e-cigarette smoking, and to present data showing that the resulting increased oxidative stress and inflammation are likely to be involved in effecting to lung damage. Other organs are also likely to be affected. The aerosol contains varying amounts of organic and inorganic toxicants as well as carcinogens, which might serve as the source of such deleterious events. In addition, the aerosol also contains nicotine, which is known to be addictive. E-cigarette smoking releases these toxicants into the air leading to inhalation by nonsmokers in residential or work place areas. Unlike regular tobacco smoke, the long-term consequences of direct and secondhand exposure to e-cigarette aerosol have not been extensively studied but based on available data, e-cigarette aerosol should be considered harmful to human health.

摘要

电子烟是一种可充电设备，可产生含有不同水平尼古丁、无机和有机毒物和致癌化合物的吸入气溶胶。气溶胶是通过在高温下加热丙二醇和甘油与尼古丁和调味成分的溶液而产生的。电子烟的开发和销售是作为一种更安全的替代品来替代已知对人体健康有害的普通香烟。然而，已发表的研究表明，电子烟的气溶胶也会对健康产生不利影响。本综述的主要目的是简要描述吸电子烟的一些后果，并提供数据表明由此产生的氧化应激和炎症增加可能与肺损伤有关。其他器官也可能受到影响。气溶胶含有不同数量的有机和无机毒物以及致癌物，它们可能是此类有害事件的来源。此外，气雾剂还含有尼古丁，众所周知，尼古丁会让人上瘾。吸电子烟会将这些有毒物质释放到空气中，导致住宅或工作场所的非吸烟者吸入。与普通烟草烟雾不同，直接和二手接触电子烟气溶胶的长期后果尚未得到广泛研究，但根据现有数据，应将电子烟气溶胶视为对人体健康有害。气雾剂还含有尼古丁，众所周知，尼古丁会让人上瘾。吸电子烟会将这些有毒物质释放到空气中，导致住宅或工作场所的非吸烟者吸入。与普通烟草烟雾不同，直接和二手接触电子烟气溶胶的长期后果尚未得到广泛研究，但根据现有数据，应将电子烟气溶胶视为对人体健康有害。气雾剂还含有尼古丁，众所周知，尼古丁会让人上瘾。吸电子烟会将这些有毒物质释放到空气中，导致住宅或工作场所的非吸烟者吸入。与普通烟草烟雾不同，直接和二手接触电子烟气溶胶的长期后果尚未得到广泛研究，但根据现有数据，应将电子烟气溶胶视为对人体健康有害。