Table 1. Sample descriptions and results for vaping cartridges and pods.
| Brand (condition) | Type/yr obtained | SEM/EDSa | XRF | Tank walls | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating element type | Additional wicking/insulation & seals | Filament | Battery contact | ||||
| CCell #1 (used by EVALI patient) | THC cartridge/2019 | Ceramic | Semi-synthetic fiber wrap with Si-rich rubber plug | Ni, Cr, Fe (wire leads: Ni; wire end: Ni, Fe, Cr, (Co), S) | Ni, Cu, Zn; (Si-rich rubber gasket) | Filament: Ni, Cr, Fe; Battery contact end cap: Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe | plastic |
| TKO (used by EVALI patient) | THC cartridge / 2019 | Ceramic | Semi-synthetic fiber wrap with Si-rich rubber plug | Ni, Cr, Fe (wire leads: Ni) | Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn | (not tested) | glass |
| CCell #2 (unused/empty) | THC cartridge/2019 | Ceramic | Semi-synthetic fiber wrap with fiberglass plug | Ni, Cr (wire leads: Ni) | Ni (Si-rich rubber gasket) | (not tested) | plastic |
| Hermes (unused/empty) | THC cartridge/2019 | Ceramic | Si-rich rubber envelope and metal insert | Ni, Cr, Fe (wire leads: Ni; insert: Fe, Cr, Ni; sheath: C, F) | Ni (Si-rich rubber gasket) | (not tested) | glass |
| Unknown #1 (unused/filled) | THC cartridge/2018 | Fiberglass wick | Si-rich rubber cap w/embedded fiberglass | Ni, Cr (wire leads: Ni) | Ni, Zn, Sn (Co) (Si-rich rubber gasket) | Filament: Ni, Cr; Battery contact end cap: Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe (Co) | plastic |
| Unknown #2 (unused/filled) | THC cartridge/2018 | Dual fiberglass wick | Woven fiberglass wrap | Ni, Cr (wire leads: Ni; sheath: C, F) | Ni, Cu, Zn, Sn (Co) (Si-rich rubber gasket) | (not tested) | glass |
| JUUL (used in the lab) | Nicotine pod /2019 | Fiberglass wick | none | Ni, Cr, Fe | Ni, Fe, Au | Filament + battery contact: Ni, Fe, Cr, Au | plastic |
| EGO-CE6 coil head (unused) | Nicotine device/2016 | Fiberglass wick | none | Ni, Cr, Fe (wire leads: Ni; joint: Ni, Cr; sheath: C, F) | Ni | Filament: Ni, Cr, Fe, Zr; Coil head body: Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Sn, Fe | glass |
aSEM/EDS types: ceramic = Si, O, Na, Al, P, K; fiberglass = Si, Al, O; semi-synthetic fiber = C with striated morphology; Si-rich rubber = Si, O, C [Ca, Ti, Zn].