Animo Repository - De La Salle University Research
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Multi elemental analysis and risk assessment of E-cigarette vapor using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy
No full textThe increasing prevalence of e-cigarette use, particularly among Filipino youth, raises significant public health concerns regarding potential exposure to heavy metals from closed-system devices. This study aims to quantitatively analyze the presence of heavy metals in e-cigarette aerosol and assess the associated inhalation risks. Utilizing Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), the research detected six heavy metals elements—chromium , copper, iron, manganese, nickel, and lead—in e-cigarette aerosol, with cadmium found to be undetectable. The inhalation exposure assessment revealed that certain metal concentrations exceeded the Recommended Exposure Limits (REL) established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), raising critical safety concerns for consumers. Additionally, the inhalation cancer risk assessment highlighted significant risks associated with prolonged exposure to chromium and nickel, emphasizing the potential long-term health implications of using closed-system e-cigarettes. The study confirmed that toxic metals leach from the heating elements of e-cigarettes, with significant levels of chromium, nickel, and lead detected in the aerosol. Given these preliminary findings, future research is strongly encouraged to expand the analysis to include additional toxic metals such as arsenic, as well as the incorporation of a larger sample size with multiple brands and flavors. Future researchers are also encouraged to establish a Limit of Detection and Quantification for data reliability, standardization of puffing simulations. and employing speciation analysis
Formation of New Ethnic Towns in Japan and its Effect on the Local Economy: A Case Study of Nishi-Kawaguchi Chinatown
Get PDFThis study examines the formation of Nishi-Kawaguchi Chinatown, a new, socially accepted neighborhood in the suburbs of a greater metropolitan area in Japan, with a growing settlement of foreign residents. The study highlights factors leading to the formation of ethnic towns in Japan’s regional communities and their social and economic impact by addressing three research questions: What factors led to Chinese immigrants settling in Nishi-Kawaguchi? Why are there so many Chinese restaurants in Nishi-Kawaguchi? How did the formation of Nishi-Kawaguchi Chinatown impact the local economy? An interview survey of restaurant owners in Nishi-Kawaguchi Chinatown was conducted, and the resultant data were analyzed. The study found that Chinese people settled in Nishi-Kawaguchi because (a) the rentals and land prices were low and (b) the area offered easy access to the city center. These factors led to the concentration of Chinese restaurants in Nishi-Kawaguchi. The results suggest that the formation of Nishi-Kawaguchi Chinatown by Chinese ethnopreneurs has revitalized the local economy by attracting Japanese tourists, as the multi-ethnicity found in Nishi-Kawaguchi Chinatown is rare in Japan
