Vaping product exposure system (VaPES): a novel in vitro aerosol deposition system

Inhal Toxicol. 2023 Dec 6:1-9. doi: 10.1080/08958378.2023.2289021. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective Due to recent increases in the use of vaping devices, there is a high demand for research addressing the respiratory health effects of vaping products. Given the constantly changing nature of the vaping market with new devices, flavors, metals, and other chemicals rapidly emerging, there is a need for inexpensive and highly adaptable vaping device exposure systems. Here, we describe the design and validation of a novel in vitro aerosol exposure system for toxicity testing of vaping devices.Materials and methods We developed an inexpensive, open-source in vitro vaping device exposure system that produces even deposition, can be adapted for different vaping devices, and allows for experiments to be performed under physiological conditions. The system was then validated with deposition testing and a representative exposure with human bronchial epithelial cells (hBECs).Results The Vaping Product Exposure System (VaPES) produced sufficient and uniform deposition for dose-response studies and was precise enough to observe biological responses to vaping exposures. VaPES was adapted to work with both pod and cartridge-based vaping devices.Conclusion We have designed and validated a novel vaping device exposure system that will eliminate the need to use high-cost commercial exposure systems, lowering the barrier to entry of physiologically relevant vaping studies.

PMID:38054423 | DOI:10.1080/08958378.2023.2289021