Occupational & Environmental Health Researchers Advance Techniques for Nicotine Exposure Assessment in Vape Shops

Dr. Evan Floyd and Dr. Toluwanimi Oni, faculty members in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at the OU Hudson College of Public Health, have recently published a groundbreaking study with Oxford University Press. Their research delves into nicotine exposure in vape shop environments, offering crucial insights into effective ways to capture and analyze airborne nicotine levels. This work has the potential to enhance protection for both workers and customers from occupational nicotine exposure, a growing concern in the era of vaping.

The study, titled Desorption Efficiency and Holding Capacity of Acid-Treated Filters for Nicotine Sampling in Vape Shops, investigates the effectiveness of two types of acid-treated Whatman glass fiber filters for nicotine sampling—one treated with sodium bisulfate and the other with citric acid. Using advanced Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS), the researchers evaluated each filter’s desorption efficiency (how well nicotine is released from the filter) and holding capacity (how much nicotine the filter can retain before breakthrough occurs). They found that sodium bisulfate-treated filters had a high desorption efficiency of 98.4%, making them ideal for accurately measuring nicotine levels in vape shops. While citric acid-treated filters had a greater holding capacity, they didn’t perform as well in releasing nicotine, reinforcing that sodium bisulfate-treated filters offer a better solution for accurate nicotine sampling.

This research is essential as vape shops represent a new occupational setting where employees may face airborne nicotine exposure. The findings provide health practitioners and industrial hygienists with reliable tools to measure and manage nicotine exposure, supporting regulatory efforts to ensure safer workplaces for vaping products.

This study exemplifies the impact of innovative research in advancing occupational health and safety. It’s an inspiring example of how research can drive public health policy and practice, particularly in emerging industries like vaping. This publication reflects the College’s commitment to solving complex public health challenges with practical, data-driven solutions—offering students a glimpse into the dynamic, impactful field of occupational health research.