GC-MS Method Development: Determination

of Components in Personal VaporizorAerosol

Courtney Zahn, BS Student, Daphne Oldendorf, BS and Dixie Gautreaux, Ph.D.
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes (ECs) and personal
vaporizers (PVs) are becoming increasingly
popular worldwide. They are not regulated by
the FDA, and little is known regarding their
health effects. A simple analytical method
involving a modest smoking device was
developed for analysis of components in PV
aerosol via Gas Chromatography Mass
Spectrometry (GC-MS). The results were
then compared with the components in the
smoke of a traditional tobacco cigarette. The
aerosol profile of the HAUS PV revealed
several components, including a carbonyl
compound similar to one found in traditional
cigarette smoke.

Materials and Methods

Discussion

A HAUS Personal Vaporizor starter kit along with American Blend e-liquid by Mystic, were
purchased at a local drugstore.
A 40 mL vial was extracted of gas and prefilled with 20 mL of ethanol.
A 60 cc syringe and parafilm were used to create a simple smoking device.
The smoking device was then used to mimic a puff of the PV by a consumer.
The device was operated manually to activate the heating element of the HAUS PV, and trap
the aerosol in the syringe.
The syringe was then pulled away from the PV and was used to quickly shoot the aerosol into
the 40 mL vial.
An Agilent 7820A GC attached to Agilent 5975 MSD was used for PV aerosol analysis.
The method was repeated to measure components of traditional cigarette smoke in a
Marlboro Silver Pack 100s tobacco cigarette.

Results
HAUS PV
Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrum

Pyridine
MW: 162 g/mol

HAUS PV
Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrum

1,2-Benzenedicarboxylicacid,
butyl 2-methylpropyl ester
MW: 278 g/mol

1,2Benzenedicarboxylicacid,
butyl 2-methylpropyl ester
MW: 278 g/mol

Figure 2. HAUS Personal

Vaporizer Starter Kit. Reference 1.

Purpose
Marlboro Silver Pack 100s
Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrum

1,2Benzenedicarboxylic
acid, butyl 2methylpropyl ester

Potential Acute Eye irritant

Health Effects Skin irritant

Corrosive
Irritation to GI
or respiratory
tract

Toxic to
Potential
mucous memChronic Health
branes
Effects
Respiratory
irritation

1,2-Benzenedicarboxylicacid,
bis (2-methylpropyl ester)
MW: 278 g/mol

Conclusion
Electronic cigarettes and personal vaporizors
such as the HAUS Personal Vaporizor are the
wave of the future. The present research
method provides a simple, low-budget
method to analyze the components of the
aerosol produced by these electronic nicotine
delivery systems. Using this method on a
larger scale, with a large variety of EC and
PV
manufacturers
will
increase
the
knowledge regarding this relatively unknown
aerosol and its effects on health.

Figure 1. HAUS Eliquid: American Blend

(tobacco). Reference 1.

Existing methods for determining components of

EC and PV aerosol are rather complex and
expensive to recreate. In an effort to add to the
existing knowledge regarding PV aerosol
components, a simple and inexpensive method
was created using common items found in most
laboratories.

The syringe smoking device revealed

components in both the HAUS PV aerosol
and the cigarette smoke of the Marlboro Silver
Pack 100s following GC-MS analysis. 1,2Benzenedicarboxylic
acid
butyl
(2methylpropyl ester) was found in the HAUS
PV.
A similar carbonyl compound, 1,2Benzenedicarboxylic acid bis (2-methylpropyl
ester), was found in the cigarette smoke. Both
carbonyl compounds are known to be toxic to
mucous membranes. The method had many
limitations due to time constraints. Many
subsequent trials should be performed, with
differing variables constituting the amount of
aerosol withdrawn into the syringe, the time of
each puff, brands of EC or PV, as well as
flavors of e-liquid.

1,2Benzenedicarboxylic
acid, bis (2methylpropyl ester)

References

Potential Acute Eye irritant

Health Effects Skin irritant

Corrosive
Irritation to GI
or respiratory
tract

Toxic to
Potential
mucous memChronic Health
branes
Effects
Respiratory
irritation

1. HAUS Personal Vaporizer by Mystic Home

Page.
http://haus.misticecigs.com/
(accessed Sept 2015).
2. Herrington, J. S. & Myers, C. (2015).
Electronic cigarette solutions and resultant
aerosol
profiles.
Journal
of
Chromatography A. 1418 (2015) 192-199.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1010/j.chroma.2015.09.
034.