r/science • u/informationtiger • Dec 18 '19

Chemistry Nicotine formula used by e-cigarette maker Juul is nearly identical to the flavor and addictive profile of Marlboro cigarettes

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-juul-ecigarettes-study-idUSKBN1YL26R
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u/supertrooper1136 Dec 18 '19

IIRC benzene by itself is carcinogenic. If the nicotine/benzoic acid compound breaks down after it’s been absorbed, would it break down to benzene or still have a small carbon chain making it much less toxic (ie toluene)?

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u/kittykatmeowow Dec 18 '19

Benzoic acid is metabolized in the body to form hippuric acid, which is excreted in the urine. It doesn't produce benzene. Benzoic acid is also sometimes used as a food preservative.

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u/athomps121 BS | Marine Biology | Coral Reefs Dec 18 '19

i definitely remember seeing a study (might have just been a published letter) saying that benzoic acid converts to benzene at the heat source (burns hotter than a cig would as well).

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u/Kayakingtheredriver Dec 18 '19

(burns hotter than a cig would as well).

No way dude. A cigarette tip burns at a peak of ~900 Celsius when being drawn upon. No one is vaping at 900c... Most vapes are 200-250c.

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u/FocusedADD Dec 18 '19

Double check their methodology. Sometimes when a study gets put out saying X happens when you vape, it's under some extreme circumstance that doesn't occur under normal operation.

Benzene has an autoignition temperature of about 500°C. A cigarette burns at about 400-900°C. If a vape ran hotter than a cigarette while producing benzene, you'd have a pile of molten plastic and an oral flamethrower.