July 25, 2009
Mr Maugh:
I appreciate the interest that you show in public health matters by writing your recent article regarding Electronic Cigarettes, also known as Personal Vaporizers (PVs) [Carcinogens and poisons found in electronic cigarettes; LA Times July 27, 2009]. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did indeed issue a health alert regarding these
devices, and you have repeated their synopsis perfectly.
What you failed to do was research the other side of the story. The toxicology report that the FDA points to is fairly consistent with previous testing done on the consumable liquid found in the PVs. There are trace amounts of
tobacco Specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs) present in these cartridges. The level of quantification for a positive hit for all four TSNAs in the FDAs report was 141 parts per billion (ppb), or 141 nanograms of TSNAs per gram of solution. In comparison, according to a study done by Irina Stepanov et al, unburned
tobacco contains anywhere from 190 ppb to 9200 ppb. According to the same study, Nicorette gum contains 2 nanograms per piece, and Nicoderm patches contain 8 nanograms per patch. More research is needed to determine quantities delivered to the user in one use and over time.
Diethylene Glycol presence is a real concern, and could have been an anomaly, a contaminate, or an additive. Out of the 19 cartridges tested, only one showed the presence of Diethylene Glycol at a concentration of less than one percent. The FDA's health alert references Diethylene Glycol as being the main ingredient in antifreeze. They seem to be confusing this substance with Ethylene Glycol, which is the actual product used in antifreeze, and an extreme toxin. A lethal dose of Ethylene Glycol is 100ml, with an LD50 for oral ingestion by lab rats marked at 4700 mg/kg. In comparison, the LD50 for oral ingestion by lab rats of Diethylene Glycol is stated to be 12565 mg/kg. As you can see, Diethylene Glycol is approximately three times less toxic than Ethylene Glycol.
Attached is a list of links that you may find helpful in giving you the full story on this difficult topic. Thank you for your time and your continued efforts in presenting matters of public health and safety.
Sincerely,
Nathan P. Dunn
Electronic Cigarette User
1)
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/ScienceResearch/UCM173250.pdf
2)
http://www.healthnz.co.nz/2ndSafetyReport_9Apr08.pdf
3)
http://www.starscientific.com/404/stepanov tsna in.pdf
4)
Antifreeze | Common Wastes & Materials | US EPA
5)
DIETHYLENE GLYCOL
6)
ETHYLENE GLYCOL
7)
The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary
8)
Response To The FDA | Electronic Cigarette Association
9)
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-regarding-fda-press-release-7-22-repost.html
