A custom-built low-cost chamber for exposing rodents to e-cigarette aerosol: practical considerations

Abstract

Objectives: To (1) design and build a low-cost exposure chamber system for whole-body exposure of rodents to electronic cigarette aerosol, (2) provide detailed instructions with particular focus on automated e-cigarette activation, and (3) develop a simple mathematical model for aerosol levels in the exposure chamber.

Methods: We built the system with standard laboratory equipment and an open-source electronics platform (Arduino) for e-cigarette activation. Arduino is used to control a solenoid, which pushes the activation button of so-called “Mod” e-cigarettes, and a pump to move the aerosol from the mouthpiece of the e-cigarette into the chamber. For “Pods” and “Cigalikes,” the solenoid is not used as they are activated by the vacuum created by the pump. Aerosol concentrations were measured with a light-scattering laser photometer.

Results: The system allows varying the air exchange rate, monitoring aerosol levels, and programing arbitrary puff topography. Aerosol concentrations observed for different chamber operating conditions (puff time and period, e-cigarette power output, air exchange rate) were consistent with the mathematical model.

Conclusions: Our low-cost exposure chamber can be used in animal experimental studies of the health effects of e-cigarettes. Our model allows estimating design parameters such as chamber volume, air exchange rate, and puff period.

Keywords:

• E-cigarette
• exposure chamber
• vaping machine
• puff topography
• open-source electronics platform
• Arduino
• design
• animal studies

Disclosure statement

The authors report no potential conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported by NIEHS and FDA Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) [grant R21ES029777] and by NIEHS [grant P30 ES009089]. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH or the Food and Drug Administration.