ArticlePloS one2021
Design features and elemental/metal analysis of the atomizers in pod-style electronic cigarettes.
Article in PloS one, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 21 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
21 citing papers in PubMed.
- Methylglyoxal and Glyoxal in High-Puff Disposable Electronic Cigarette Liquids: Unexpected Accumulation and Enhanced Cytotoxicity.ACS omega · 2026Article
- The role of artificial intelligence in predicting COPD exacerbations using multimodal data: a systematic review.ERJ open research · 2026Article
- Article
- The effect of vaping on the human lung microbiota.Inhalation toxicology · 2026Article
- Detection of Metal-Containing Particles in FDA-Authorized and New Disposable Electronic Cigarette Aerosols.Environmental science & technology · 2025Article
- Single-cell transcriptomics identifies altered neutrophil dynamics and accentuated T-cell cytotoxicity in tobacco flavored e-cigarette exposed mouse lungs.bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology · 2025Article
- Tracking metal presence in cannabis vaping products from source to inhalation.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Quantification of 16 Metals in Fluids and Aerosols From Ultrasonic Pod-Style Cigarettes and Comparison to Electronic Cigarettes.Environmental health perspectives · 2025Article
- Electronic Cigarette-Derived Metals: Exposure and Health Risks in Vapers.Chemical research in toxicology · 2025Review
- Review
- Exploring the Practice of Dual Vaping: Health Risks and Behavioral Patterns in Nicotine and Cannabis E-Cigarette Users.Brain sciences · 2025Review
- Ultrasonic Cigarettes: Chemicals and Cytotoxicity are Similar to Heated-Coil Pod-Style Electronic Cigarettes.Chemical research in toxicology · 2024Article
- The impact of sucralose and neotame on the safety of metal precipitation in electronic cigarettes.Frontiers in physiology · 2024Article
- New insights into how popular electronic cigarette aerosols and aerosol constituents affect SARS-CoV-2 infection of human bronchial epithelial cells.Scientific reports · 2023Article
- External Factors Modulating Vaping-Induced Thermal Degradation of Vitamin E Acetate.Chemical research in toxicology · 2023Article
- Beyond the label: current evidence and future directions for the interrelationship between electronic cigarettes and mental health.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2023Review
- Chemical Elements, Flavor Chemicals, and Nicotine in Unused and Used Electronic Cigarettes Aged 5-10 Years and Effects of pH.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Transfer of Metals to the Aerosol Generated by an Electronic Cigarette: Influence of Number of Puffs and Power.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Article
- Temperature dependence of emission product distribution from vaping of vitamin E acetate.PloS one · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundThe atomizers of electronic cigarettes (ECs) contain metals that transfer to the aerosol upon heating and may present health hazards. This study analyzed 4th-generation EC pod atomizer design features and characterized their elemental/metal composition.
methodsEleven EC pods from six brands/manufacturers were purchased at local shops and online. Pods were dissected and imaged using a Canon EOS Rebel SL2 camera. Elemental analysis and mapping of atomizer components was done using a scanning electron microscope coupled with an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer.
resultsEC pods varied in size and design. The internal atomizer components were similar across brands except for variations occurring mainly in the wicks and filaments of some products. The filaments were either Elinvar (nickel, iron, and chromium) (36.4%), nichrome (36.4%), iron-chromium (18.2%), or nickel (9%). Thick wires present in 55% of the atomizers were mainly nickel and were joined to filaments by brazing. Wire-connector joints were Elinvar. Metal air tubes were made of Elinvar (50%), nickel, zinc, copper, and tin (37.5%), and nickel and copper (12.5%). Most of the wick components were silica, except for two pods (PHIX and Mico), which were mainly ceramic. Connectors contained gold-plated nickel, iron-chromium multiple alloys of nickel, zinc, gold, iron, and copper. Wick chambers were made of Elinvar. Outer casings were either nickel, copper-tin, or nickel-copper alloys. Magnets were nickel with minor iron, copper, and sulfur. Some frequently occurring elements were high in relative abundance in atomizer components.
conclusionsThe atomizers of pods are similar to previous generations, with the introduction of ceramic wicks and magnets in the newer generations. The elements in EC atomizers may transfer into aerosols and adversely affect health and accumulate in the environment.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.