2025-05-28 カリフォルニア大学リバーサイド校(UCR)
◆u-cigarettesは、加熱コイルの代わりに高周波の超音波振動を用いて液体をエアロゾル化する新技術を採用しています。研究では、SURGEやJUULなどの製品を分析し、16種類の金属元素を検出。特にSURGE製品からは、FDAが有害成分と認定するヒ素やセレンが高濃度で検出されました。また、KWIT Stickではニッケルが最大66,050マイクログラム/mLと非常に高い濃度で確認されました。
◆これらの金属は機能に必要ないにもかかわらず、製造過程で混入したと考えられます。吸入によるこれらの金属の摂取は、肺疾患、神経毒性、臓器障害、さらには発がん性のリスクを高める可能性があります。研究者は、u-cigarettesの安全性に関する主張に対して慎重になるよう警鐘を鳴らし、規制強化と製品の監視が必要であると述べています。
<関連情報>
- https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2025/05/28/new-study-highlights-health-risks-ultrasonic-cigarettes
- https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/EHP15648
超音波ポッド式タバコからの流体およびエアロゾル中の16種類の金属の定量化と電子タバコとの比較 Quantification of 16 Metals in Fluids and Aerosols From Ultrasonic Pod-Style Cigarettes and Comparison to Electronic Cigarettes
Esther E. Omaiye and Prue Talbot
Environmental Health Perspectives Published:10 April 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP15648
Abstract
Background:
Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) fluids and aerosols contain metals, which can be detrimental to human health. Recently marketed ultrasonic cigarettes (u-cigarettes) claim to be less harmful than e-cigarettes, which use heating coils.
Objectives:
We quantified chemical elements/metals in multiple flavors of SURGE u-cigarettes, JUUL e-cigarettes, and “Other Brands” of pod-style e-cigarettes.
Methods:
Elements/metals were identified in atomizers of SURGE using a scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Quantitation of elements/metals in fluids and aerosols from SURGE, JUUL, and “Other Brands” was performed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy.
Results:
U-cigarettes contained a sonicator, unlike e-cigarettes, which had heated coils. Sixteen elements were identified in at least one fluid or aerosol sample. Generally, u-cigarette fluids and aerosols had more elements/metals at higher concentrations than aerosols from fourth-generation e-cigarettes. Element concentrations generally increased in fluids after vaping. All products, including SURGE, had silicon in their fluids and aerosols. Nickel, which was present in low concentrations in all fluids except KWIT Stick (up to 66,050μg/mL), transferred to the aerosols with low efficiency. SURGE, but not e-cigarettes, also had copper and zinc in their fluids, but little transferred to their aerosols. SURGE fluids and aerosols, unlike e-cigarettes, had relatively high concentrations of arsenic and selenium. Arsenic and selenium, which are on the US Food and Drug Administration list of “Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents,” likely came from poor quality solvents used to produce the e-fluids in SURGE pods and possibly from the sonicator, which heats during use.
Discussion:
SURGE u-cigarettes produce aerosols with metals equivalent to heated coil-style e-cigarettes and had high levels of arsenic and selenium, which are a health concern. Regulations limiting arsenic and selenium in these products are needed, and routine surveillance to identify rogue products, such as KWIT Stick, which have abnormally high levels of nickel or other metals, could protect human health.
