Geekbar Brand Electronic Cigarette Aerosol Emissions Characterization

EDWARD HENSEL, Gloria Mbaka, Logan Kelly, Nathan Eddingsaas, Risa Robinson, Rochester Institute of Technology

     Abstract Number: 586
     Working Group: Health-Related Aerosols

Abstract
Methods:
Two variants (Pulse and Pulse X) of Geekbar brand rechargeable disposable adjustable flow ecigs, were purchased from retail vendors in Rochester. The Pulse variants were filled with “Strawberry Mango” while the Pulse X variants were filled with “Blackberry Blueberry” flavored eliquid. A Design of Experiments (DOE) consisted of 24 puffing profiles to span the operating range of the devices. Twelve “Activation Flow Rate” profiles systematically varied the puff flow rate while holding puff duration fixed at 3.5 secs. Twelve “Activation Duration” profiles varied the puff duration while holding puff flow rate fixed at 75 ml/s. Each variant was tested with the user-adjustable valve set in the “high flow” and “low flow” position.

Results:
The Geekbar Pulse and Pulse X ecigs exhibited aerosol generating operating envelopes spanning 1 to 8 secs of puff duration and 10 to 160 ml/s puff flow rate. With a fixed puff duration of 3.5 seconds, the Geekbar Pulse and Pulse X emitted a mean yield (or dose) of Total Particular Matter per puff, YTPM, ranging between 12 to 16 mg/puff (Pulse, mid-flow setting) and 16 to 26 mg/puff (Pulse, high-flow setting) 12 to 20 mg/puff (Pulse X, mid-flow setting) and 20 to 30 mg/puff (Pulse X, high-flow setting) across the operating envelope. With a fixed puff flow rate of 75 mL/second, long duration puffs were yielded over 50 mg/puff (Pulse, High flow setting) and 80 mg/puff (Pulse X, High flow setting). The ecig emitted aerosol mass concentration, CTPM, ranged from 0.01 to 0.27 mg/mL.

Conclusions:
The Geekbar Pulse and PulseX ecigs were fully characterized in a controlled laboratory setting. Data will inform how users may vape the Geekbar Pulse/PulseX and the user’s exposure to harmful or potentially harmful constituents as a result of their puffing behavior.