A recent study has discovered that the primary ingredient in most e-cigarette fluids transforms into two harmful chemicals when heated, potentially damaging human lung cells. The two compounds are known to be detrimental in other contexts, but their effects and impacts from vaping have not been fully comprehended until now.
“These changes are signs of stress and injury that could contribute to long-term health problems if repeated during vaping. said Prue Talbot, a professor of the graduate division and lead author of the study published in Frontiers in Toxicology.
She added: “However, our results suggest that methylglyoxal may be even more toxic to airway cells, despite appearing in smaller quantities.”
According to health charity ASH, an estimated 5.5 million people in GB vape, which is roughly 10% of the population. Just over half of those currently vaping used to smoke, while misconceptions about the harms of vaping have also increased.
When heated, vaping liquids containing propylene glycol can produce methylglyoxal and acetaldehyde. The researchers exposed lab-grown human airway tissue to these toxic compounds and found both disrupted essential cell functions.
Acetaldehyde has previously been more of a concern as it appears in higher amounts in e-cigarette vapour. It’s also a known component of cigarette smoke and linked to lung disease.
However, Methylglyoxal was found to cause more damage than acetaldehyde at significantly lower concentrations. It disrupted the mitochondria, which are responsible for generating energy within cells, and weakened the actin cytoskeleton that helps cells maintain their shape and strength.
Man Wong, a postgraduate student and the paper’s lead author, stated: “Because nearly all e-cigarettes use propylene glycol, understanding how these byproducts form and how they affect cells is critical to evaluating the long-term health risks of vaping,”.
“Our work helps explain how vaping-related chemicals may contribute to lung injury. We hope it guides future studies and safety evaluations of e-cigarette products.”
The research revealed that even brief exposure to these chemicals can alter cellular pathways involved in energy production, DNA repair, and structural integrity.
It also found that devices thought to be safer due to their lower power might actually produce higher levels of methylglyoxal.
