Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have identified that menthol flavored vape liquids may pose a greater risk to lung function compared to non menthol options. The findings indicate a pattern of impaired respiratory performance linked to menthol in e cigarettes. The study will appear in the publication Respiratory Research, shedding new light on how flavor additives influence inhaled aerosols.
The research team employed a sophisticated robotic system that mirrors human breathing. This apparatus replicates respiration mechanics, including air flow, temperature, humidity, and lung capacity, as well as typical breathing intervals. By capturing the size and quantity of aerosol particles produced, the system tracks how changes in e cigarette liquid composition affect particle behavior. In other words, the proton ideas about aerosol biology are tested under controlled, lifelike conditions to reveal how flavoring alters the inhaled dose delivered to the lungs.
According to the experiments, liquids containing menthol generate higher numbers of toxic microparticles than their menthol free counterparts. The investigators also analyzed clinical data from individuals who smoke, discovering that those who prefer menthol liquids exhibit shallower breathing, a sign of reduced lung function. Importantly, these outcomes held steady across age groups, sexes, prior smoking experience, and even varying nicotine content in the liquid. The result suggests menthol flavoring itself contributes to diminished respiratory performance beyond other consumer variables.
Earlier work from the same research stream identified one potential mechanism behind the lung damage associated with vaping. Vitamin E acetate, a substance used in some vaping products, can be harmless on external exposure but disrupts lung function when inhaled. This insight reinforces concerns about inhaled additives and underlines the need for careful evaluation of all compounds introduced into aerosol liquids. The cumulative evidence from these investigations emphasizes that flavoring choices, including menthol, and certain additives may play a meaningful role in how vaping affects lung health across populations. Attribution: findings discussed by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and published in Respiratory Research, with ongoing commentary from independent experts in pulmonary science.