4 February 2025
In conclusion, we identified serious methodological and interpretational problems in the study by Svarch-Pérez et al. measuring BTX emissions in ECs. This risk assessment analysis, based on total daily exposure to BTX, identified that ECs expose users, on average, to approximately 3000 to 70,000-fold lower BTX levels compared to exposure during an 8-hour work shift in an environment containing BTX at PELs based on Cal/OSHA. The difference is so enormous that even extreme consumption of ECs is associated with far lower exposure to BTX compared to working in an environment that is considered safe according to air quality guidelines. The study by Svarch-Pérez et al. contains so many errors, including errors in converting between different units (ppm to μg/L), that editors should consider the possibility of retraction.