"Doesn't Disappear Even After Ventilation"... Electronic Cigarette Smoke Lingers on Wallpaper, Causing 'Secondhand Exposure'

Comprehensive Analysis of Around 140 Studies Conducted Over 20 Years

Systemic Effects Identified: Impact Extends Beyond Lungs to Brain and Cardiovascular System

Non-Smokers Also Exposed to Harmful Substances Through Secondhand Exposure

Although electronic cigarettes are widely perceived as less harmful than conventional cigarettes, new research has revealed that they can actually pose risks not only to lung health but also to overall systemic health and the surrounding environment. In particular, experts warn that non-smokers can be directly exposed to harmful substances through secondhand smoke.

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On April 8, Gangnam Severance Hospital announced that Professor Byun Minkwang of the Department of Pulmonology, together with Professor Loren E. Wold of Ohio State University and Professor Laura E. Crotty Alexander of the UC San Diego School of Medicine, conducted a comprehensive analysis on the hazards of electronic cigarettes.

The research team selected about 140 key studies on this topic published globally over the past 20 years and conducted a multifaceted analysis of the impact of e-cigarette exposure on the human body. The results showed that electronic cigarettes negatively affect not only lung health but also the brain, cardiovascular system, and metabolic functions overall.

Specifically, users of electronic cigarettes had up to a 1.4 times higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome compared to non-smokers. Notably, women who used both conventional and electronic cigarettes were found to have triglyceride levels up to 3.9 times higher in some cases.

Furthermore, nicotine and nano-sized particles produced by electronic cigarettes were found to damage vascular endothelial cells, leading to atherosclerosis, increased blood pressure, and vascular stiffness. In the brain, these substances disrupt energy metabolism and trigger inflammatory responses, which can lead to cognitive decline and exacerbate damage in the event of a stroke.

The research found that the effects are not limited to direct users; people nearby can also be significantly affected. According to the researchers, the liquid in electronic cigarettes is vaporized into nano-particle aerosols during heating, which then disperse into the air and can result in secondhand exposure.

Moreover, when these aerosols adhere to wallpaper or furniture surfaces, they pose the risk of "thirdhand exposure." Even after ventilating a room following indoor vaping, residual substances left on surfaces can persist for months, potentially exposing infants and pets to toxic substances.

The research team also explained that nicotine, heavy metals, and various toxic substances contained in these aerosols contribute to air pollution. Some studies have projected that if the current pollution levels from e-cigarette aerosols continue, the associated mortality rate could double by 2050.

Professor Byun Minkwang stated, "The consensus in academia is that electronic cigarettes cause toxicity to organs throughout the body," emphasizing, "The risks of electronic cigarettes must be recognized by the public, policymakers, and healthcare professionals alike."

These research findings were published in the international journal "Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology" (IF 13.1).

Meanwhile, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, while the smoking rate of conventional cigarettes in Korea decreased by about 12% in 2023 compared to 2019, the use of electronic cigarettes surged by approximately 82% during the same period. Experts point out that the perception of electronic cigarettes as less harmful has led them to be considered as a substitute for conventional cigarettes or as a means of lowering the threshold for starting smoking.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.