Analysis of Chemical Components
from High, Med & Low Nicotine
Cartridges
Report Number: D318
Cara Valance & Mike Ellicott
10 September 2008
LPD Laboratory Services
Blackburn MicroTech Solutions Ltd.
Philips Road
Blackburn
Lancashire, BB1 5RZ
United Kingdom
www.lpdlabservices.co.uk
enquiries@lpdlabservices.co.uk
Tel 01254-507379
Fax 01254-507402
Pillbox 38
Office 3
Mill Brook Complex
Branch Road
Lower Darwen
BB3 0PR
This report shall not be reproduced
except in full, without written
approval of the laboratory
Blackburn MicroTech Solutions Limited
Registered in England & Wales No 5679069
Registered office: Philips Road, Blackburn,
Philips Road Blackburn Lancashire BB1 5RZ UK
Lancashire, BB1 5RZ, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1254 507400
www.lpdcathodes.co.uk
Fax: +44 (0)1254 52040
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Report Number: D318 (2).doc
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1. Background
Nicotine solution cartridges were supplied for analysis by `The Electronic Cigarette Co (UK) Ltd' as part
of their due diligence to confirm the components currently found within the Nicotine Solution
formulation. Samples cartridges labelled High, Medium and Low nicotine were supplied.
Solutions of this type can be used in an electronic cigarette which replicates the action of smoking,
producing a tobacco aromatized smoke which when inhaled quickly delivers the nicotine to the lung.
The Electronic Cigarette does not emit a tarry smoke, or produce an ash deposit, and can be used to
wean the smoker off `cigarette smoking' in a controlled manner.
2. Sample
The samples were received on the 01/09/2008.
? 1 x Nicotine cartridge HIGH
? 1 x Nicotine cartridge MED
? 1 x Nicotine cartridge LOW
3. GC-MS Method
The samples were analyzed by an external flavour laboratory to determine the components present
by GC-MS (gas chromatography mass-spectrometry).
Column: Alltech Flavour & Essences Capillary Column ?30 m x 250 祄 x 0.5 祄
Temperature: 50oC 4 min, ramp 10oC/min to 210oC
Analysis Time: 81 min
Injection: Split
Carrier gas: Helium
The GC method employed may not detect some less volatile components that may be found in the
samples, or where components are present in such low levels that they are below detection limits for
the GC-MS method.
4. GC-MS Results
The Nicotine cartridge samples were diluted with Propylene Glycol to allow sufficient sample for
injection.
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Report Number: D318 (2).doc
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Table 1 ?Nicotine High/ Med / Low
Summary of GC-MS peak identification, CAS Number, and associated Risk Phrases
No Component Nicotine Nicotine Nicotine CAS No. Effects to Humans of pure
Name HIGH MED LOW product in isolation via
Cartridge Cartridge Cartridge inhalation route
R20 = harmful by
inhalation
R23 = Toxic by inhalation
R26 = Irritating to
Detected Detected Detected respiratory system
Yes/no? Yes/no? Yes/no? R39/23 = Danger of
serious irreversible effects
through inhalation
1 Nitrogen yes yes yes 7727-37-9 Possibly present due to inert
packaging
2 Ethanol yes no no 64-17-5 R11 = Highly Flammable
3 Water yes yes yes 7732-18-5 Non hazardous
4 Propylene yes yes yes 57-55-6 Not currently recognized as
Glycol giving any health hazards. So
some MSDS's say no harmful
effects from inhalation, while
others may list some possible
health hazards including by
respiration route
However, it is listed as a
suspected respiratory
toxicant, suspected skin or
sense organ toxicant,
suspected neurotoxicant, and
a suspected immunotoxicant.
6 Nicotine yes yes yes 54-11-5 R23 = Toxic by inhalation
R24 = Toxic in contact with
skin
R25 = Toxic if swallowed
Poison - maybe fatal if
inhaled
7 Triacetin no yes no 102-76-1 No Risks identified
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Report Number: D318 (2).doc
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5. Discussion
The composition of the three solutions in the nicotine cartridges has been investigated by LPD
Laboratory Services, in order to try and re-affirm that the nicotine solutions are a much safer
alternative when used in the electronic cigarette, when compared to smoking with traditional
cigarettes.
All three solutions needed to be diluted with solvent (Propylene Glycol) to yield sufficient liquid to
inject onto the GC-MS, and so nominal % compositions have been omitted.
All three nicotine solutions contain the addictive yet poisonous nicotine component, as do traditional
cigarettes.
Only the cartridge labelled HIGH appeared to contain low levels of Ethanol solvent. Ethanol was not
detected in the MED and LOW nicotine solutions.
All three nicotine solutions do appear to contain large amounts of propylene glycol aerosol forming
solvent. Different suppliers of this chemical appear to offer differing hazard ratings on their respective
MSDS's. Some indicate no ill effects from inhalation which is fine, while others indicate CNS and
spleen health issues may exist from prolonged inhalation of the chemical.
Researching the chemical profile for propylene glycol1 indicates that although there would appear to
be `no current recognized health hazards', the chemical is `suspected to be a respiratory toxicant'.
If Propylene Glycol subsequently becomes `recognized as a respiratory toxicant' following the launch
of the product in Europe, then `Pillbox 38' should be looking for an even safer alternative such as
Glycerol.
Only the MED nicotine solution contained traces of Triacetin, a noted cigarette additive with no
identifiable risks.
6. Conclusion
On balance, the nicotine solution cartridges appears to offer a much safer alternative to the traditional
cigarette. Apart from the required toxic Nicotine, the samples tested appear to be fairly clean and free
from other potentially toxic chemicals.
Using this type of nicotine solution, the artificial smoke generated by an Electronic Cigarette would
not appear to contain the toxic cocktail of toxic carcinogenic compounds found in traditional tobacco
smoke. Some 600+ chemicals have been identified in traditional smoke tobacco, of which many are
carcinogenic.
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Report Number: D318 (2).doc
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The primary aerosol forming solvent (Propylene Glycol) used in the preparation of the nicotine
solution is listed as a `suspected respiratory toxicant'.
`The Electronic Cigarette Co (UK) Ltd' should look at changing the aerosol forming solvent from the
suspected respiratory toxicant `Propylene Glycol', to an even safer solvent such as Glycerol.
7. Recommendations
a) `The Electronic Cigarette Co (UK) Ltd' should take a Proactive look at
replacing the Propylene Glycol component completely with an
alternative such as Glycerol, in the event that the solvent becomes
added to the list of respiratory toxicants in the foreseeable future
8. References
? www.scorecard.org/chemical-profiles; The Pollution Information
? Reference to 100 fatal poisonings in Panama resulting from a Chinese factory
falsifying records in order to export the cheaper but toxic Diethylene Glycol as the
more expensive Glycerol.
Analysts Name: Mike Ellicott
Function: Senior Applications Scientist
Signature: (hard copy only)________________
End of Report
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