A recent study by the University of Nebraska Medical Center suggests that teenagers who vape often may be exposed to harmful metals like lead and uranium, which can affect their brain and organ development. This highlights the importance of taking steps to protect young people from these risks.
Many teenagers in the United States vape regularly. In 2022, about 14% of high school students (around 2.14 million) and over 3% of middle school students (around 380,000) reported vaping in the previous month.
The researchers found that certain metals, which can be harmful during growth are present in e-cigarette aerosols and liquids. Exposure to these metals can lead to issues like cognitive problems, behavioral disturbances, respiratory issues, cancer, and heart diseases in children.
The study aimed to understand how the frequency of vaping and the choice of vape flavors relate to levels of toxic metals in teenagers. They looked at data from the PATH Youth Study, which included 1,607 teenagers aged 13 to 17.
Urine samples from 200 teenagers who exclusively vaped were tested for cadmium, lead, and uranium. Vaping frequency was categorized as occasional (1–5 days/month), intermittent (6–19 days), and frequent (20+ days). Vape flavors were classified as menthol or mint, fruit, sweet flavors like chocolate or desserts, and other flavors like tobacco or alcoholic drinks.
Among the 200 vapers analyzed, lead levels were 40% higher in intermittent vapers and 30% higher in frequent vapers compared to occasional users. Frequent vapers also had uranium levels twice as high as occasional vapers. Vapers who preferred sweet flavors had 90% higher uranium levels compared to those who chose menthol or mint flavors. There were no significant differences in cadmium levels across different vaping frequencies or flavor types.
This study only shows an association, not a direct cause-and-effect relationship, between vaping habits and metal exposure. Different vaping devices and brands may have varying metal content, and urine tests only provide a snapshot of exposure at a single point in time.
