Publication Cover
Inhalation Toxicology
International Forum for Respiratory Research
Volume 31, 2019 - Issue 11-12
328
Views
9
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Articles

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

ORCID Icon, , , , , , & show all
Pages 399-408 | Received 28 Aug 2019, Accepted 08 Nov 2019, Published online: 04 Dec 2019
 

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.

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.

Log in via your institution

Log in to Taylor & Francis Online

PDF download + Online access

  • 48 hours access to article PDF & online version
  • Article PDF can be downloaded
  • Article PDF can be printed
USD 65.00 Add to cart

Issue Purchase

  • 30 days online access to complete issue
  • Article PDFs can be downloaded
  • Article PDFs can be printed
USD 389.00 Add to cart

* Local tax will be added as applicable

Related Research

People also read lists articles that other readers of this article have read.

Recommended articles lists articles that we recommend and is powered by our AI driven recommendation engine.

Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.
Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab.