Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health recently conducted a study on e-cigarettes that revealed the heating coils and aerosols that users inhale contain significant amounts of toxic metals, including lead. The study, published in the Feb. 21 issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, looked at e-cigarette devices owned by 56 users. They found that a number of these devices emitted aerosols with unsafe levels of lead, chromium, manganese and nickel. Chronic inhalation of these metals has been linked to lung, liver, immune, cardiovascular, and brain damage, as well as cancer.
E-cigarettes emit Harmful Toxins
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet developed a way to regulate e-cigarettes, although it has the authority to do so. The finding that e-cigs expose users to harmful levels of toxic metals could determine how the FDA chooses to regulate these devices in the future. The study’s authors say that e-cigarette manufacturers and users, as well as the FDA, must know that these heating coils seem to leak toxins into the inhaled aerosols.
E-cigarettes use a battery-supplied electric current to heat liquids through a metal coil. The process creates an aerosol, a mix of vaporized e-liquids and tiny droplets. Vaping is extremely popular among adolescents and young adults. The National Institute of Drug Abuse surveyed students in 8th, 10th, and 12th grades last year and found that one in six had used e-cigarettes in the last 30 days.
E-cigarettes are sold to youth and adults with the marketing line that it’ll give them that nicotine hit they crave and the look and feel of smoking a cigarette without smoking’s health risks. However, study after study reveals that vaping is not risk-free and that the liquids sold in flavors such as bubble gum and cherry, specifically to attract young people, contain harmful toxins.
Holding Manufacturers Accountable
Manufacturers of e-cigarettes have been touting these products as an alternative to traditional cigarettes, which have been linked to a host of health hazards, including heart and lung disease. They could market this way because no one knew the liquids’ contents or how the devices affected the vapors. Now, we are beginning to hear the truth. Our e-cig injury lawyers hope the FDA regulates e-cigarettes and protects young people from these harmful products.
Source: https://www.jhsph.edu/news/news-releases/2018/study-lead-and-other-toxic-metals-found-in-e-cigarette-vapors.html
