IAQ Testing Laboratory

Cinnaminson, NJ,  March 4^th , 2019

This past December, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams issued only his second advisory of his tenure. Surgeon General’s Advisory on E-cigarette Use Among Youth warns of the epidemic of youth e-cigarette use as well as aerosols that both users and bystanders could be exposed to due to these devices.

In the advisory, the Surgeon General reports that studies show that e-cigarette use among middle and high school students in the U.S. increased 900% from 2011 to 2015. There was a decline from 2015 to 2017, but this changed in 2018 when use increased by 78% with high school students. This equates to 1 in 5 high school students using e-cigarettes.

In addition to concerns over exposure to nicotine from e-cigarettes, which is addictive, the advisory reports “… the aerosol that users inhale and exhale from e-cigarettes can potentially expose both themselves and bystanders to other harmful substances, including heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deeply into the lungs.” The report also warns that “…some of the chemicals used to make certain flavors may also have health risks.”

“Exposure to particulate matter, chemicals and even metals from vaping is a concern for anyone around someone using an e-cigarette, including other building occupants in a work environment or multitenant residential housing,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “According to the Surgeon General, e-cigarettes can release chemicals, such as diacetyl and benzene, as well as the heavy metals nickel, tin and even lead in some cases. These airborne pollutants will impact the indoor air quality if used inside and could have health implications. This is why the Surgeon General has advised e-cigarettes be included in smoke-free indoor policies.”

Those concerned about exposure to nicotine, particulate matter (PM), metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals from e-cigarettes or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) can turn to EMSL Analytical, Inc. for answers. The indoor environmental testing specialists provide laboratory testing services, sampling supplies and test kits for these and other respiratory hazards and surface contaminants. EMSL also offers air monitoring instruments to detect PM and other airborne pollutants.

EMSL recently sponsored an educational video about e-cigarettes, aerosol exposures and the Surgeon General’s Advisory that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/6XmpNnNhCVQ.

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality (IAQ), environmental, health and safety testing services or air monitoring instruments, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com. For access to indoor environmental quality test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.