Comparison of mean NNN, NNK, NAT and NAB levels in 226 VP samples by nicotine concentration and by flavouring type (tobacco vs others)
| N | Mean | SD | Minimum | Maximum | Df | F | Sig. | ||
| NNN | No nicotine detected | 46 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 0.4 | 10.8 | |||
| Nicotine detected | 180 | 5.3 | 13.7 | 0.4 | 125.8 | ||||
| Total | 226 | 4.4 | 12.4 | 0.4 | 125.8 | 1 | 4.62 | 0.03 | |
| Tobacco flavouring | 81 | 5.0 | 9.7 | 0.4 | 53.1 | ||||
| All other flavours | 145 | 3.2 | 14.0 | 0.4 | 125.8 | ||||
| Total | 226 | 4.4 | 12.4 | 0.4 | 125.8 | 1 | 1.07 | 0.30 | |
| NNK | No nicotine detected | 47 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 4.6 | |||
| Nicotine detected | 180 | 3.1 | 10.5 | 0.7 | 120.8 | ||||
| Total | 227 | 2.7 | 9.5 | 0.7 | 120.8 | 1 | 2.11 | 0.15 | |
| Tobacco flavouring | 82 | 3.5 | 7.3 | 0.7 | 44.5 | ||||
| All other flavours | 145 | 1.3 | 10.8 | 0.7 | 120.8 | ||||
| Total | 227 | 2.7 | 9.5 | 0.7 | 120.8 | 1 | 2.21 | 0.14 | |
| NAT | No nicotine detected | 47 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 7.5 | |||
| Nicotine detected | 180 | 3.8 | 9.0 | 0.4 | 60.0 | ||||
| Total | 227 | 3.1 | 8.2 | 0.4 | 60.0 | 1 | 3.77 | 0.05 | |
| Tobacco flavouring | 82 | 4.3 | 8.0 | 0.4 | 44.4 | ||||
| All other flavours | 145 | 2.0 | 8.2 | 0.4 | 60.0 | ||||
| Total | 227 | 3.1 | 8.2 | 0.4 | 60.0 | 1 | 24.65 | <0.001 | |
| NAB | No nicotine detected | 47 | 2.0 | 7.8 | 0.4 | 40.6 | |||
| Nicotine detected | 180 | 4.8 | 14.0 | 0.4 | 100.4 | ||||
| Total | 227 | 4.2 | 13.1 | 0.4 | 100.4 | 1 | 2.27 | 0.13 | |
| Tobacco flavouring | 82 | 8.6 | 19.3 | 0.4 | 100.4 | ||||
| All other flavours | 145 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 0.4 | 34.8 | ||||
| Total | 227 | 4.2 | 13.1 | 0.4 | 100.4 | 1 | 5.51 | 0.02 |
LOQ for each nitrosamine: NNN: 0.5 ng/mL, NNK: 1.0 ng/mL, NAT: 0.5 ng/mL, NAB: 0.5 ng/mL.
LOQ, limit of quantitation; NAB, N’-nitrosoanabasine; NAT, N’-nitrosoanatabine; NNK, 4-(Methylnitrosamino)−1-(3-pyridyl)−1-butanone; NNN, N’-nitrosonornicotine.