Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Greece.
Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Greece; Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece.
Food Chem Toxicol. 2018 Jun;116(Pt B):233-237. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.04.035. Epub 2018 Apr 18.
Electronic cigarettes are considered healthier alternatives to conventional cigarettes containing tobacco. They produce vapor through heating of the refill liquids (e-liquids) which consist of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, nicotine (in various concentrations), water and flavoring agents. Heavy metals may enter the refill liquid during the production, posing a risk for consumer's health due to their toxicity. The objective of the present study was the development of a methodology for the detection and quantitative analysis of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), arsenic (As) and chromium (Cr), employing Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (TXRF) as an alternative technique to ICP-MS or ICP-OES commonly used for this type of analysis. TXRF was chosen due to its advantages, which include short analysis time, promptness, simultaneous multi-element analysis capability and minimum sample preparation, low purchase and operational cost. The proposed methodology was applied to a large number of electronic cigarette liquids commercially available, as well as their constituents, in order to evaluate their safety. TXRF may be a valuable tool for probing heavy metals in electronic cigarette refill liquids to serve for the protection of human health.
电子烟被认为是比传统含烟草香烟更健康的替代品。它们通过加热填充液体（电子烟液）产生蒸汽，填充液体由丙二醇、植物甘油、尼古丁（不同浓度）、水和调味剂组成。重金属可能在生产过程中进入填充液体，由于其毒性，对消费者的健康构成风险。本研究的目的是开发一种检测和定量分析镉（Cd）、铅（Pb）、镍（Ni）、铜（Cu）、砷（As）和铬（Cr）的方法，采用全反射 X 射线荧光光谱法（TXRF）作为替代技术，以替代通常用于此类分析的 ICP-MS 或 ICP-OES。选择 TXRF 是因为它具有许多优势，包括分析时间短、快速、同时进行多元素分析以及最少的样品制备、低购买和运营成本。该方法已应用于大量市售电子烟液及其成分，以评估其安全性。TXRF 可能是探测电子烟填充液体中重金属的有用工具，有助于保护人类健康。
