Project

Breathing in, testing out: tracking electronic cigarette exposure in Belgian youth through hemoglobin adducts

Code
1S88926N
Duration
01 November 2025 → 31 October 2029
Funding
Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
Research disciplines
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Epidemiology
    • Biomarker evaluation
    • Separation techniques
    • Spectrometry
    • Analytical toxicology
Keywords
Hemoglobin adducts Electronic cigarettes Young Belgian population
 
Project description
Interest in the long-term effects of electronic cigarette use on public health has increased over the past years, as the consumption of these products has risen rapidly, especially among young individuals. The use of so-called adductomics, described as the epidemiology at molecular level, offers a valuable approach to gain insight into this emerging public health concern. Covalent adducts with nucleophilic sites of proteins such as hemoglobin arise from reactions with electrophilic substances, which have been detected in both combustible cigarettes and electronic cigarettes. By monitoring these hemoglobin adducts, it is possible to assess exposure to potentially harmful compounds. Starting from readily available expertise, sensitive and reliable liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry methods for monitoring hemoglobin adducts in venous whole blood and capillary dried blood microsamples will be set up, taking into account various strategies to ensure adequate sensitivity, given the small volume of blood contained in dried blood microsamples. Following optimization, the methodology will be applied in a biomonitoring self-sampling study to map hemoglobin adduct formation in a young Belgian population using electronic cigarettes. As comparators, non-smokers and smokers will be used. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the potential risks associated with electronic cigarette use and support future regulatory and public health measures.