Investigating the Real-Life Indoor Air Quality Impact of E-Cigarette Vaping

BACKGROUND: the widespread use of e-cigarettes (e-cigs) has raised significant public health concerns, particularly regarding the physical characteristics of the emitted aerosol. This pilot study addresses this gap by quantitatively assessing particulate matter (PM) emissions from e-cigs in a real-world indoor environment. METHODS: using a portable optical particle counter (AirBeam3), we measured PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 concentrations during a round-trip walk along low- and heavy-traffic roads, and inside a bar with three individuals who were vaping. RESULTS: results show that indoor e-cig use was associated with a marked increase in PM levels. The average PM2.5 concentration inside the bar with vapers was 28.8 µg/m³, with a peak of 84.7 µg/m³, which is 6.5 times higher than on a low-traffic street and 3.1 times higher than on a heavy-traffic street. CONCLUSIONS: we conclude that PM from e-cigs in indoor settings markedly deteriorates air quality. While this study cannot quantify direct health risks, these findings support precautionary considerations for extending indoor smoking bans to public places.