Methods for a Non-Targeted Qualitative Analysis and Quantification of Benzene, Toluene, and Xylenes by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry of E-Liquids and Aerosols in Commercially Available Electronic Cigarettes in Mexico

The chemical components of the e-liquids and aerosols contained in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDSs), better known as vapes, were evaluated. The analytical technique used was gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, where the extraction and injection methods were established in this study. The work consisted of the analysis of twenty samples of disposable electronic cigarettes prefilled with new e-liquid, of a known brand, flavor, volume, and, in some of them, the percentage of nicotine and the number of puffs per device were indicated on the label. We detected the presence of many substances (at a qualitative and semi-quantitative level), and we achieved the quantification of benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX), dangerous substances that cause severe damage to health. Several of the e-liquids and aerosols present BTX concentrations above the permissible exposure limit (PEL), recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): benzene in aerosol samples 80% > PEL, and toluene in aerosol samples 45% > PEL. The number of chemical compounds found in the samples increases from 13 to 167, the average being 52 compounds for the water extraction method, 42 compounds for the methanol extraction method of e-liquids, and 107 compounds for the direct aerosol analysis. It is a fact that many of those compounds, especially BTX, can cause serious effects on human health, affecting the respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and immune systems, as well as the brain. Therefore, the use of these devices should be considered with caution, since the substances and their chemical nature may pose significant health risks to both users and those exposed to secondhand emissions.