Comparison of toxins in conventional and electronic cigarettes

Toxic compound Conventional cigarette (µg in mainstream smoke) Electronic cigarette (µg per 15 puffs) Average ratio (conventional vs electronic)
Formaldehyde 1.6–52 0.20–5.61 9
NNN 0.005–0.19 0.00008–0.00043 380
NNK 0.012–0.11 0.00011–0.00283 40

NNN, N'-nitrosonornicotine; NNK, NNN and 4-(methylnitrosoamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone.

Source: M. L. Goniewicz et al. Tob. Control http://doi.org/nxv (2013)

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