Electronic cigarette consumption (‘vaping’) is marketed as an alternative to conventional tobacco smoking. Technically, a mixture of chemicals containing carrier liquids, flavors, and optionally nicotine is vaporized and inhaled. The present study aims at the determination of the release of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and (ultra)fine particles (FP/UFP) from an e-cigarette under near-to-real-use conditions in an 8-m³ emission test chamber. Furthermore, the inhaled mixture is analyzed in small chambers. An increase in FP/UFP and VOC could be determined after the use of the e-cigarette. Prominent components in the gas-phase are 1,2-propanediol, 1,2,3-propanetriol, diacetin, flavorings, and traces of nicotine. As a consequence, ‘passive vaping’ must be expected from the consumption of e-cigarettes. Furthermore, the inhaled aerosol undergoes changes in the human lung that is assumed to be attributed to deposition and evaporation. Practical Implications The consumption of e-cigarettes marks a new source for chemical and aerosol exposure in the indoor environment. To evaluate the impact of e-cigarettes on indoor air quality and to estimate the possible effect of passive vaping, information about the chemical characteristics of the released vapor is needed.

The emission of ultrafine particles (UFP) and gaseous pollutants from 3D printing has been increasingly gaining attention in recent years due to potential health risks. The physical and chemical properties of the emitted particulate matter, however, remain unclear. In this study, we characterized these particles with a focus on their chemical composition and volatility, and measured the gaseous pollutants from desktop 3D printing in a standardized environmental test chamber. Eight types of filaments were tested, including ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate), HIPS (high impact polystyrene), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), and PCABS (polycarbonate & ABS). Particle size distribution (PSD), particle number concentration (PNC), particle chemical composition and particle volatility were measured. In addition, volatile and very volatile organic compounds (VOCs and VVOCs) emitted during 3D printing were analyzed. The specific emission rates (SERs) for particles in the size range of 5.6 to 560 nm ranged from 2.0 × 109 (GLASS, a PETG-based filament) to 1.7 × 1011 (ASA) #/min. The particle SERs for ABS were (4.7 ± 1.1) × 1010 #/min. The SERs for total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) varied from 0.2 μg/min (GLASS) to 40.5 μg/min (ULTRAT, an ABS-based filament). Particles started to evaporate extensively from 150 °C. At 300 °C, only 25% of the particle number remained with the size distribution mode peaked at 11 nm. The particles collected on the quartz filter were mainly composed of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) associated with the plasticizers, flame-retardants, antioxidants of the thermoplastics, and cyclosiloxanes which may be used as lubricants in the 3D printer.