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Increased levels of benzaldehyde found in cherry-flavored e-cigarettes

Researchers found high concentrations of benzaldehyde in flavored e-cigarettes, with cherry-flavored e-cigarettes having the highest doses compared with a conventional cigarette, according to recent research.

“Although e-cigarettes may be a promising harm reduction tool for smokers, findings indicate that using these products could result in repeated inhalation of benzaldehyde, with long-term users risking regular exposure to the substance,” Leon Kosmider, PharmD, of the Institute of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health in Sosnowiec, Poland, and colleagues wrote. “Given the uncertainty surrounding adverse health effects stemming from long-term inhalation of flavoring ingredients such as benzaldehyde, patients should be asked about use of flavored products, particularly patients with respiratory diseases.”

Kosmider and colleagues evaluated 145 flavored e-cigarettes categorized into eight different fruit flavors based upon their labels. They tested the amount of benzaldehyde in the aerosol generated from an automated smoking simulator in two sets of 15 puffs (lower limit of quantitation = 0.025 μg/30 puffs).

The researchers found 108 of 145 products tested contained benzaldehyde higher than the lower limit of quantitation, with the highest doses observed in cherry-flavored products, according to the abstract. Specifically, cherry-flavored e-cigarettes contained benzaldehyde levels higher than found in a conventional cigarette. When tested, the estimated median daily dose of benzaldehyde from cherry-flavored e-cigarettes was 70.3 μg, which is more than 1,000 times lower than permissible exposure limit for benzaldehyde in the workplace. – by Jeff Craven

Disclosure: Kosmider and four other researchers report employment with the Institute of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health.