How e-cigarettes affect the heart and lungs
Cardiopulmonary Toxicity of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems
This project looks at how chemicals from e-cigarette vapor affect heart and lung health, focusing on users such as teens and young adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11241167 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will measure the gases and chemicals (like formaldehyde and acrolein) produced by different e-cigarette devices and e-liquids across a range of use conditions. They will test how those vapors affect heart and lung tissues and function using laboratory methods, animal models, and chemical analyses. The researchers aim to link specific ingredients and device settings to harmful effects to inform regulation. Findings are intended to show why some products may be more dangerous than others.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be regular e-cigarette users—especially teens and young adults—or people willing to provide samples or attend research visits at the study site.
Not a fit: People who have never used e-cigarettes and have no exposure to vapor are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify which e-cigarette ingredients and device conditions harm the heart and lungs, helping regulators and clinicians reduce exposure risk.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory and animal studies have linked e-cigarette aerosols and VOCs to short-term cardiopulmonary harm, but comprehensive, device-specific data for regulatory decisions are still limited.
Where this research is happening
Louisville, United States
- University of Louisville — Louisville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Conklin, Daniel Joseph — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Conklin, Daniel Joseph
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.