Disposable Vapes: A Toxic Threat Hidden in Plain Sight
Recent research indicates that popular disposable vapes might expose users to more dangerous heavy metals than traditional cigarettes. This revelation raises significant health concerns, particularly for young people, who are the primary consumers of these flavored, easily accessible devices.
The Metal Menace in Vaping Products
A study from the University of California, Davis, unveiled that widely used disposable e-cigarettes release significant amounts of toxic metals like lead. Some of these levels surpass established health risk thresholds, sparking alarm among researchers and health officials.
The study, published in ACS Central Science, focused on disposable vapes, now the most prevalent vaping option for US teens and young adults. These products are cheap, come in a variety of flavors, and are readily available, although many are not FDA-approved. Researchers tested several devices from popular brands like ELF Bar, Flum Pebble, and Esco Bar.
High Concentrations of Heavy Metals
The research team, led by **Mark Salazar**, a PhD candidate at UC Davis, tested devices from start to finish, simulating up to 1,500 puffs. They tracked how metal concentrations changed over the lifespan of each device. The team discovered that all three brands emitted considerable levels of nickel, chromium, antimony, and lead.
The concentrations of these metals often rose as the devices were used. The scientists determined that the heating coil elements likely leached into e-liquids. They also found that lead and nickel in Esco Bar devices originated from leaded bronze in internal components. Some Esco Bar e-liquids exhibited lead levels comparable to those found in the smoke from 20 packs of cigarettes.
Disposable vapes may be exposing users to dangerous levels of lead and other heavy metals, a new UC Davis study finds. “These risks are not just worse than other e-cigarettes but worse in some cases than traditional cigarettes.” https://t.co/52VlOip0o2 pic.twitter.com/z0sQ6hX2m8
— UC Davis (@ucdavis) June 11, 2024
The study also found that compared to older refillable e-cigarettes, disposable devices released up to 100 times more metals. Furthermore, Esco Bars showed elevated lead and nickel levels even before use, suggesting immediate exposure from the first puff. According to a recent report, approximately 2.55 million U.S. middle and high school students reported current e-cigarette use in 2022 (CDC 2022).
“We found that these disposable devices have toxins already present in the e-liquid, or they’re leaching quite extensively from their components into e-liquids and ultimately transferred to the smoke,”
—Mark Salazar, PhD candidate at UC Davis
Health Risks and Regulatory Concerns
The research team calculated the potential cancer and noncancer risks for daily users based on published toxicity thresholds and metal concentrations. They found that nickel and antimony increased cancer risks beyond accepted limits. Lead and nickel levels surpassed safety thresholds for respiratory and neurological effects by as much as nine times.
The use of leaded bronze, a material not suitable for consumer health products, indicates a lack of basic manufacturing oversight. With approximately 100 disposable brands on the market, the lack of testing and regulation is a significant concern. **Dr. Brett Poulin**, an assistant professor at UC Davis and the corresponding author, stressed the urgency for enforcement due to the hazardous levels of neurotoxic lead and carcinogenic nickel and antimony found in these devices.
The Path Forward
The study highlighted that broader research is needed to examine more brands. Future studies should explore how flavors, nicotine levels, shelf life, and storage influence metal release. Further research, including lab studies and animal models, is necessary to evaluate long-term effects, such as whether non-toxic chromium can transform into its carcinogenic form in the lungs.
