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Nicotine, propylene glycol and tobacco-specific nitrosamines content in selected e-liquids in Malaysia: the case support for initiation of standards or guidelines
Aziemah Zulkifli1, Emilia Zainal Abidin2, Najihah Zainol Abidin3, Hasanah Mohd Ghazali4, Praveena, Sarva Mangala5, Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin6, Sharifah Norkhadijah Syed Ismail7, Irniza Rasdi8, Karuppiah, Karmegam9, Anita Abd Rahman10, Zuraidah Musbah11, Nur Fadhilah Zulkipli12.
Electronic Cigarette (EC) usage has been gaining acceptance in Malaysia despite its lack of analytical evidence on the chemical constituents of its liquid formulations. This study aims to evaluate the chemical concentrations of nicotine, propylene glycol (PG) and selected Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs); 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and N’-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in e-liquids locally sourced from the Malaysian market. Methods: A total of 17 e-liquids from a variety of flavours and brands were purchased from local EC retailers in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Nicotine and PG concentrations were assessed using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID) while NNK and NNN were quantified using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The concentrations of nicotine and PG (mg/mL) were described in comparison with the levels indicated on the labels when present while levels of TSNAs were descriptively explained. Results: Nicotine was detected in all e-liquid samples, despite several samples being declared as nicotine-free. The average (standard deviation) level of nicotine, PG, NNN and NNK were 3.26 (1.04) mg/mL, 484.10 (98.24) mg/mL, 0.383(0.288) μg/L and 0.086 (0.057) μg/L, respectively. Labelling discrepancies (when indicated on the label) of nicotine and PG were between the range of 27%-73% and 3%-63%, respectively. Conclusion: The concentrations of nicotine and PG in local e-liquids were varied. There were evidences of labelling discrepancy in that local e-liquids. TSNAs were detected in all samples of e-liquids. This study brought forth strong evidence on the need for the implementation of regulation on e-liquid manufacturing and sales, particularly on the accuracy of labelling and licensing to protect the public health.
Affiliation:
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
- University Malaya Centre of Addiction Sciences, Malaysia
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
- Universiti Putra Malaysia, Malaysia
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Indexation |
Indexed by |
MyJurnal (2021) |
H-Index
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3 |
Immediacy Index
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0.000 |
Rank |
0 |
Indexed by |
Scopus 2020 |
Impact Factor
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CiteScore (0.2) |
Rank |
Q4 (Medicine (all)) |
Additional Information |
SJR (0.144) |
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