Among adolescents, frequent vaping could increase the risk of exposure to lead and uranium, which could harm brain and organ development.
- In a study of 200 young smokers, 65 reported occasional use (1-5 days/month) of electronic cigarettes, 45 reported intermittent use (6-19 days), and 81 reported frequent use (more than 20 days).
- In intermittent and frequent smokers, lead levels were 40% and 30% higher, respectively, than in occasional smokers.
- Users of sweet flavors had higher uranium levels than those opting for menthol/mint.
“Vaping among youth poses a significant public health concern because metals have been detected in e-cigarette aerosols and liquids. Their absorption is particularly harmful during developmental periods,” reported researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (United States). In a new study, they wanted to know if levels of potentially toxic metals could be associated with the frequency of vaping and if aromas could have an influence.
81 out of 200 teens reported vaping more than 20 days per month
For the purposes of their research, published in the journal Tobacco Control, the scientists used data from a national cohort involving 1,607 adolescents aged 13 to 17. A total of 200 youth using e-cigarettes were included in the final analysis. The young people had to provide samples of their urine to detect the presence of cadmium, lead and uranium. Vaping frequency was designated as occasional (1-5 days/month), intermittent (6-19 days), and frequent (more than 20 days). The flavors were grouped into four categories: menthol or mint, fruit, sweet, such as chocolate and others, such as tobacco, clove or spices.
Among the 200 young people, 65 reported occasional use of electronic cigarettes, 45 reported intermittent use, and 81 reported frequent use. “The average number of recent puffs per day increased exponentially with vaping frequency (occasional: 0.9 puffs, intermittent: 7.9 puffs, frequent: 27.0 puffs),” can we read in the works. In the previous 30 days, 33% of smokers reported using menthol/mint flavors. Half favored fruit flavors and just over 15% opted for sweet flavors.
E-cigarette: higher lead levels detected in frequent smokers
The results showed that lead levels were 40% higher in intermittent smokers and 30% higher in frequent smokers than in occasional smokers. Uranium levels in urine were also twice as high in frequent smokers as in occasional smokers. Comparing flavor types revealed uranium concentrations 90% higher among vapers who preferred sweet flavors than those who opted for menthol/mint.
“We know that these compounds are harmful to humans,” have alerted authors. They cited several studies showing that high levels of exposure to these metals are linked to cognitive impairments, behavioral disorders, respiratory complications, cancers and cardiovascular diseases in young people.
In the findings, the team clarifies that no definitive conclusions can be made about toxic metal levels and vaping frequency/flavors because this is an observational study. However, “These findings call for additional research, regulation of vaping, and targeted public health interventions to mitigate the potential harmful effects of e-cigarette use, particularly among adolescents.”
