E-cigarettes are often presented as a less harmful alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. At the same time, there are always discussions about individual ingredients in e-liquids. One of the most frequently mentioned substances is diacetyl. But what exactly is diacetyl?, why is it criticized and what significance does it have for users of e-cigarettes?
What is diacetyl and how safe are e-cigarettes really?
What is Diacetyl??
Diacetyl (2,3-Butandion) is a chemical compound with a distinct buttery aroma. It has been used in the food industry for many years, for example for flavoring baked goods, Candy or microwave popcorn.
Diacetyl can be found in e-cigarettes as a component of certain flavor mixtures, especially sweet ones, creamy or dessert-like flavors such as vanilla, Cake- or candy flavors.
Why is diacetyl viewed critically??
The health interest in diacetyl arose from illnesses among employees in companies, who produced flavorings. These workers were rare, but diagnosed with severe lung disease, which is medically referred to as bronchiolitis obliterans and is colloquially known as “popcorn lung”..
Research showed, that those affected were exposed to high concentrations of heated diacetyl over a longer period of time. Inhaling the vapors is considered a significant risk factor. For this reason, the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health warns (NIOSH) before long-term inhalation exposure to diacetyl.
Diacetyl is found in e-cigarettes?
Several scientific studies have investigated, whether diacetyl can be detected in e-liquids. The results can be summarized as follows:
In some of the flavored e-liquids examined, diacetyl was found above the detection limit.
Sweet and creamy flavors are particularly often affected.
Additionally, related substances such as acetylpropionyl (2,3-Pentandion) detected in some products.
However, the measured concentrations differ significantly depending on the product, Flavor and manufacturer.
How high is the risk compared to tobacco cigarettes?
The comparison with conventional cigarettes is crucial for the health assessment. Studies show, that diacetyl is also contained in tobacco smoke, often in significantly higher quantities than in the aerosol of e-cigarettes.
A publication from the year 2014 came to the conclusion, that the diacetyl concentration in e-liquids is sometimes up to 100 times lower than in cigarette smoke. The cardiologist and e-cigarette researcher Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos points this out, that the amounts of diacetyl measured in studies during vaping are in many cases very low. At the same time he emphasizes, that the comparison with exposure to tobacco smoke is often neglected in public discussion.
Are e-cigarettes therefore safe??
This question cannot be answered clearly from a scientific perspective. The current state of knowledge allows the following assessment:
E-cigarettes are not risk-free.
Exposure to diacetyl is generally lower when vaping than when smoking, but not completely ruled out.
Long-term studies on the health effects of using e-cigarettes for years or decades are so far limited.
Health authorities therefore do not consider e-cigarettes to be harmless, but at most as a potentially less harmful alternative for adult smokers, who cannot or do not want to give up nicotine completely.
Can risks caused by diacetyl be avoided??
Many experts agree, that diacetyl is not a necessary ingredient in e-liquids. Studies indicate this, that it is an avoidable risk.
Possible measures to minimize risk are::
the use of e-liquids, which are expressly marked as diacetyl-free,
transparent information about ingredients from the manufacturers,
the development and use of alternative flavorings.
Some of the industry has already reacted and voluntarily stopped using diacetyl.
Diacetyl is a flavoring agent, the inhalation of which can be harmful to health in high concentrations. When vaping e-cigarettes, significantly lower amounts are usually produced than when smoking conventional cigarettes. However, e-cigarettes are not considered safe or harmless.
For adult smokers, they may provide a less harmful alternative. For non-smokers, However, the consumption of e-cigarettes is not recommended for young people and people with existing respiratory diseases.
