Investigation of some HEAVY metal levels in people using electronic cigarettes and İQOS

SUMMARY Investigation of Some Heavy Metal Levels in People Using Electronic Cigarettes and IQOS The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (IQOS) is increasing day by day in the world and in our country. There is no scientific evidence for the safety of e-cigarettes and IQOS, which are widely used especially among young people. In this study, it was aimed to compare heavy metal and nicotine exposures of e-cigarette users, IQOS users and smokers. A total of 117 volunteers, including IQOS users (n=20), e-cigarette users (n=28), smokers (n=39) and non-smokers (n=30), participated in the study. The levels of lead, cadmium, nickel, zinc and selenium metals to which the participants were exposed were determined and compared. Another aim of this study is to determine and compare nicotine exposure in people who use cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and IQOS. Cotinine levels in urine samples were found to be 1827.61±1717 ng/g creatinine in e-cigarette users, 1833.72±1847.93 ng/g creatinine in IQOS users, and 2276.96±2046 ng/g in smokers. There was no statistically significant difference between e-cigarette, IQOS and cotinine levels of smokers (p>0.05). Lead level was 1,38±3,55 ng/g creatinine, 8,51±11,16 ng/g creatinine, 3,67±5,68 ng/g creatinine, 1,55 ±1,93 ng/g creatinine in e-cigarette, IQOS, smokers and control groups, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found in the lead level between the e-cigarette user group, the cigarette smoker group and the IQOS user group. (p˂0.008). In addition, a statistically significant difference was determined between the cotinine and lead levels of the smoking and IQOS users (p˂0.05). Cadmium level was 0.22±0.22 ng/g creatinine, 0.28±0.33 ng/g creatinine, 0.48±0.64 ng/g creatinine, 0.35±0.34 ng/g creatinine in e-cigarette, IQOS, smokers and control groups, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in cadmium level (p>0.008). A statistically significant difference was found between cotinine and cadmium levels in the smoking group (p<0.0001).Nickel level was 3.43±2.16 ng/g creatinine, 3.85±4.11 ng/g creatinine, 1±1.42 ng/g creatinine 1.11±1.22 ng/g creatinine in e-cigarette, IQOS, smokers and control groups, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between the e-cigarette and IQOS groups in terms of nickel levels, both in the smoker and control groups (p˂0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between cotinine and nickel levels in the e-cigarette user group (p<0.003). Selenium level was 24.81±15.68 ng/g creatinine 27.75±22.02 ng/g creatinine, 26.01±18.10 ng/g creatinine, 22.98±21.06 ng/g creatinine in e-cigarette, IQOS, smokers and control groups, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between selenium levels, groups and cotinine (p>0.008). Zinc level e-cigarette, 298,40±221.78 ng/g creatinine and 596.13±779.14 ng/g creatinine, 217.59±142.75 ng/g creatinine, 285.03±233.34 ng/g creatinine in e-cigarette, IQOS, smokers and control groups, respectively. A statistically significant difference was found between IQOS and smoking groups in zinc level (p˂0.008). There was no statistically significant difference between cotinine and zinc levels (p>0.05). According to the data we obtained we obtained in our study, the lead level was found to be higher in the IQOS and smoking group, the cadmium level in the cigarette group, and the nickel level in the e-cigarette and IQOS user group compared to the other groups. Key Words: E-Cigarette, Heavy Metal, ICP-MS, IQOS