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What are ultrafine particles?
Ultrafine particles are tiny airborne particles that are smaller than 0.1 micrometres. Because they are so small, they can be inhaled deep into the lungs and may also enter the bloodstream.
They are not the same as visible smoke or vapour. In practice, they are often impossible to see, which means people may be breathing them in without realising it.
Do e-cigarettes release them?
Yes, e-cigarettes can produce ultrafine particles in the air. When an e-cigarette heats a liquid, it creates an aerosol, and this aerosol often contains very small particles.
Research has shown that people nearby can be exposed to these particles, especially in enclosed spaces. However, the type and amount of particles can vary depending on the device, liquid, and how it is used.
How does this compare with tobacco smoke?
Traditional cigarettes generally produce far more harmful pollution than e-cigarettes. Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals, including many known toxins and cancer-causing substances.
E-cigarette aerosol is usually less complex and often contains lower levels of harmful substances. Even so, “less harmful” does not mean harmless, and the air quality around vaping can still be affected.
Are the particles harmful?
Ultrafine particles are a concern because of their size and where they can go in the body. Scientists are still studying the long-term health effects of exposure from vaping, especially for children, pregnant people, and those with asthma or heart conditions.
Current evidence suggests that second-hand exposure from e-cigarettes is likely to be much less harmful than exposure from smoking. But it may still irritate the airways or contribute to indoor air pollution, particularly in poorly ventilated rooms.
What does this mean for the UK?
In the UK, vaping is widely used as a stop-smoking aid, and many people choose it as a lower-risk alternative to cigarettes. Public health advice generally recognises that it is less harmful than smoking for adult smokers who switch completely.
At the same time, the UK’s smoke-free rules and air quality concerns reflect the need to think about other people nearby. It is sensible to avoid vaping around children, pregnant people, and anyone who does not want to breathe aerosol particles.
Bottom line
Yes, e-cigarettes can produce harmful ultrafine particles in the air, but usually at much lower levels than tobacco smoke. The health risks are still being studied, and the evidence suggests that exposure is not risk-free.
If you vape, using it in well-ventilated spaces and being considerate of others can help reduce exposure. If you do not smoke, it is best not to start vaping.
Frequently Asked Questions
E-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air are extremely small airborne particles produced by vaping aerosols that can remain suspended and be inhaled deep into the lungs.
E-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air can reduce indoor air quality by adding fine and ultrafine aerosols that linger, spread through a room, and increase what people nearby breathe.
E-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air are a health concern because ultrafine particles can penetrate deeply into the respiratory system and may carry nicotine, flavor chemicals, and other substances into the body.
Yes, e-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air can reach bystanders nearby, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces where aerosols can accumulate.
E-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air can stay suspended for minutes or longer depending on ventilation, room size, humidity, and how much aerosol is generated.
Yes, e-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air differ from cigarette smoke particles in composition, but both can create inhalable airborne particles that affect indoor environments.
Yes, e-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air can be measured with particle counters and air monitoring equipment that detect particle number concentration and size distribution.
Factors that increase e-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air include frequent vaping, higher-power devices, certain liquids, limited ventilation, and smaller enclosed spaces.
Ventilation can reduce e-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air, but it may not eliminate them immediately, especially if vaping continues or the space is poorly ventilated.
E-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air may pose risks for children because children can be more vulnerable to airborne pollutants and may inhale them in homes, cars, or shared indoor spaces.
Yes, e-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air may irritate the lungs and airways, especially in people with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions.
Some e-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air can settle on surfaces over time, while others remain suspended and continue circulating in the air.
Yes, e-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air can build up quickly in car interiors because cars are small enclosed spaces with limited air exchange.
The main source of e-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air is the aerosol produced when an e-cigarette heats liquid into an inhalable mist.
Opening a window may help reduce e-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air, but complete elimination usually requires stopping vaping and improving overall ventilation.
E-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air may contain nicotine if the e-liquid used contains nicotine, along with other aerosolized compounds.
E-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air are among the smallest airborne particles, often smaller than those that can be seen as visible vapor or haze.
Air purifiers with appropriate filtration can help reduce e-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air, though they work best alongside source control and good ventilation.
Workplaces should care about e-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air because they can affect employee exposure, indoor air quality, comfort, and health in shared environments.
The best way to reduce e-cigarettes harmful ultrafine particles in the air is to avoid vaping indoors, improve ventilation, and use air filtration where appropriate.
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This website offers general information and is not a substitute for professional advice.
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