Metals quantification in e-cigarettes liquids by Total Reflection X-ray Spectrometry

Gabriel Minto Faria; Tiago Dutra Galvão; Paulo Sergio Parreira; Fábio Luiz Melquiades

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110964

Metals quantification in e-cigarettes liquids by Total Reflection X-ray Spectrometry

Appl Radiat Isot. 2023 Oct:200:110964. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110964. Epub 2023 Jul 26.

Authors

Gabriel Minto Faria¹, Tiago Dutra Galvão², Paulo Sergio Parreira¹, Fábio Luiz Melquiades³

Affiliations

¹ Applied Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
² Instituto de Desenvolvimento Rural do Paraná - IAPAR-EMATER, Área de Agrometeorologia, Fisiologia Vegetal e Tecnologia de Alimentos, 86047-902, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
³ Applied Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Universidade Estadual de Londrina (UEL), 86057-970, Londrina, PR, Brazil. Electronic address: fmelquiades@uel.br.

PMID: 37523865
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110964

Abstract

Electronic cigarettes (e-cig) have gained popularity around the world and its health risks demands more research. This study aims at characterizing e-cig liquids (e-liquids) and its constituents by Total Reflection X-ray Spectrometry (TXRF). The internal standard method was the quantification procedure employed. The spectrometer's performance was evaluated with one certified reference material and spiked samples. It was possible to quantify K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, and Pb in the e-liquids. Concentrations above the limit for potable water were found in 10 out of 38 samples. Principal component analysis was useful for identifying toxic samples. TXRF is a promising technique for e-liquids evaluation due to its simplicity and performance.

MeSH terms

Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems*
Environmental Monitoring / methods
Metals / analysis
Metals, Heavy* / analysis
Radiography
Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission / methods
X-Rays

Substances

Metals
Metals, Heavy