Editorial: Our Take On The FDA Lab Report of Electronic Cigarettes

July 31, 2009 - PRLog -- As concerns are being raised as to the FDAs lab report of the toxins found in the Electronic Cigarette, many questions have been raised. In this news article, we will raise these questions and concerns.

We want to give our take on this FDA report. This is basically a rundown of what they supposedly found in their lab report:

Specifically, DPA’s analysis of the electronic cigarette cartridges from the two leading brands revealed the following:

* Diethylene glycol was detected in one cartridge at approximately 1%. Diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze, is toxic to humans.
* Certain tobacco-specific nitrosamines which are human carcinogens were detected in half of the samples tested.
* Tobacco-specific impurities suspected of being harmful to humans—anabasine, myosmine, and β-nicotyrine—were detected in a majority of the samples tested.
* The electronic cigarette cartridges that were labeled as containing no nicotine had low levels of nicotine present in all cartridges tested, except one.
* Three different electronic cigarette cartridges with the same label were tested and each cartridge emitted a markedly different amount of nicotine with each puff. The nicotine levels per puff ranged from 26.8 to 43.2 mcg nicotine/100 mL puff.
* One high-nicotine cartridge delivered twice as much nicotine to users when the vapor from that electronic cigarette brand was inhaled than was delivered by a sample of the nicotine inhalation product (used as a control) approved by FDA for use as a smoking cessation aid.

Lets break it down:

* Diethylene glycol was detected in one cartridge at approximately 1%. Diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze, is toxic to humans.

Found in HOW MANY cartridges in HOW MANY you tested? I think this was more of a manufacturing defect that needs to be addressed so this does not happen again. Yet, this is the FDAs flagship banter on these things.

* Certain tobacco-specific nitrosamines which are human carcinogens were detected in half of the samples tested.

Care to specify WHICH ONES were found? It is amazing the news outlets also were silent on the list of these supposed “nitrosamines” you found. Just harped on the anti-freze angle. Without specifics, you can say just about anything you want. And only in HALF the cartridges. What was found in the OTHER half?

* Tobacco-specific impurities suspected of being harmful to humans—anabasine, myosmine, and β-nicotyrine—were detected in a majority of the samples tested.

“Suspected” with absolutely no evidence to be a fact. And even if they were found, they were in such small traces you had to practically suck on these cartridges with machines that measured in PARTS PER BILLION! You could find impurities in Holy Water if you looked hard enough.

* The electronic cigarette cartridges that were labeled as containing no nicotine had low levels of nicotine present in all cartridges tested, except one.

Alcohol free beer also contains trace elements of alcohol, yet is labeled alcohol free. The nicotine found were in such small traces that legally, like alcohol free beer, could be labeled “nicotine free", as it is in such minute traces it would be impossible for someone to get hooked. PPB tests can reveal a lot. Do the same test on a tomato and you’ll find nicotine, and probably in the same trace quantities.

* Three different electronic cigarette cartridges with the same label were tested and each cartridge emitted a markedly different amount of nicotine with each puff. The nicotine levels per puff ranged from 26.8 to 43.2 mcg nicotine/100 mL puff.

Same thing happens with a real cigarette. The range of nicotine delivered is in proportion to how the person draws in the drug. Since you were doing such minute testing, it is easy to see a difference in nicotine levels. And the nicotine levels you describe are no higher than a real full strength, non filter cigarette. Which are still legal by the way. Nicotine is NOT cancer causing either.

* One high-nicotine cartridge delivered twice as much nicotine to users when the vapor from that electronic cigarette brand was inhaled than was delivered by a sample of the nicotine inhalation product (used as a control) approved by FDA for use as a smoking cessation aid.

Which is WHY NRTs do not work. The nicotine levels provided do not compensate for the ACTUAL nicotine people get from real cigarettes. Do the same test using a real cigarette and compare it to that inhaler, Then get back you us.

Overall a very sloppy report that, unfortunately, the world is listening too and may be the start of a public health disaster by providing misinformation to the American public (and the world). This type of report has no place in true science. If the FDA is not willing to release what these so-called nitrosamines that they found are, then it makes the entire report suspect.

We will leave you all to draw your own conclusions.