Reliability of Headspace GC-MS for the Analysis of e-liquids

Abstract

The increasing popularity of e-cigarettes has raised significant concerns about the safety and chemical composition of e-liquids, particularly how varying temperatures may influence the release and degradation of these compounds. A deeper understanding of the thermal processing of e-liquids is essential not only for evaluating potential health risks but also for ensuring compliance with regulatory standards designed to protect consumers. This study systematically investigates how varying the headspace temperatures in Headspace Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HS-GCMS) impact the chemical composition of e-liquids, focusing on the reliability and reproducibility of the method in detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The e-liquid samples were analyzed at temperatures ranging from 80 °C to 175 °C to assess how thermal conditions influenced the observed chemical composition. The results revealed that higher temperatures (130 °C and above ) increased the rate of volatilization, but also caused the formation of harmful byproducts, such as acetaldehyde and hydroxyacetone. Also at 130 °C solvent saturation became evident complicating the chromatographic profile. The study further explored the reliability of HS-GCMS method, highlighting concerns over its consistency, particularly in the quantification of nicotine. High %RSD values indicated variability, suggesting that further optimization is required to improve method reliability. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing temperature conditions in HS-GCMS to balance sufficient volatilization with the prevention of harmful byproduct formation, ensuring both safety and accuracy in e-liquid analysis.