Does E-Juice contain Formaldehyde?

In short, the answer is no.

E-cigarettes and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) have faced considerable criticism over the years. Despite ongoing efforts to combat misinformation within the scientific community and among both users and potential users of e-cigarettes, we continue to encounter inconclusive and inaccurate studies, articles, and social media posts.

One such instance occurred in 2015 when a controversial study claimed that vaping produced formaldehyde, a substance classified as a probable carcinogen. However, this study failed to address critical factors, and when attempts were made to replicate it, the results did not support the original claim.

A recent study conducted by Dr. Farsalinos shed further light on this matter. According to his research, the elevated levels of formaldehyde reported in the controversial study were a result of unrealistic usage conditions. The compounds produced were not actual formaldehyde aerosols; instead, they were formaldehyde hemiacetals, which are combinations of formaldehyde and alcohols. Importantly, there is no evidence to suggest that these hemiacetals are toxic or carcinogenic, as they are not the same as true formaldehyde. The authors of the flawed study mistakenly equated the risk of formaldehyde hemiacetals to that of formaldehyde and inaccurately reported the risk of cancer.

To set the record straight, Dr. Farsalinos' replication study used the same vaping equipment and e-liquid and found that "very high formaldehyde levels were only produced in conditions that are aversive to users."

In conclusion, recent evidence has effectively debunked the formaldehyde theory. While it's essential to remain well-informed, it's equally critical to scrutinize such claims to ensure you have access to accurate, unbiased, and truthful information.