Forget what you thought about vaping being the safer option. A new UC Davis study reveals that some disposable e-cigarettes, especially those favored by teens, are spewing out alarming amounts of toxic metals, potentially making them more dangerous than even traditional cigarettes.
A Shocking Discovery
These gadgets might look harmless — some even smell like bubblegum or come disguised as travel-sized toiletries — but the truth is far more disturbing. Researchers found they’re pumping out dangerous levels of toxic metals like lead, nickel, and antimony into the vapor people inhale.
And get this: just one disposable e-cigarette could hit you with more lead in a single day than smoking nearly 20 packs of traditional cigarettes. That’s not just surprising — it’s downright scary.
Our study uncovers the hidden dangers of these new and popular disposable e-cigarettes, the hazardous levels of neurotoxic lead and carcinogenic nickel and antimony are concerning. In some cases, these risks aren’t just worse than other e-cigarettes, they’re worse than traditional cigarettes.
——stated Brett Poulin, a senior author of the study
From Curiosity to Crisis
The investigation began when UC Davis Ph.D. candidate Mark Salazar, intrigued by a friend’s disposable vape pod, decided to test its vapor. His initial reaction to the lead concentrations? “I thought our instrument was broken,” he admitted.
- The team analyzed seven popular disposable e-cigarette brands, generating hundreds of puffs from each. Here’s what they discovered:
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The vapor contained high levels of antimony and lead.
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The more puffs they took, the higher the levels of chromium, nickel, and antimony.
- Disposable vapes released way more metals than older, refillable models.
Digging deeper, the researchers realized these toxic metals either start out in the e-liquid itself or leak into it from parts made of materials like leaded bronze. And from there, they end up right in the vapor people breathe in.
Understudied and Overlooked Risks
The health implications are serious. Vapors from several devices showed nickel and antimony levels exceeding cancer risk limits. Others had nickel and lead emissions that surpassed thresholds for non-cancerous illnesses, including neurological damage and respiratory diseases.
Even though these disposable vapes are technically illegal in many places, they’re still everywhere — especially in the hands of teens, who are extra vulnerable to things like lead exposure. The market for these devices is booming so quickly that scientists can barely keep up, leaving both consumers and regulators flying blind.
This study makes one thing crystal clear: we desperately need tougher crackdowns and way more research to really understand how dangerous these popular vapes might be for public health.
Alternative Options Instead of Vape
Thinking of quitting the vape? Try GGGJ Energy Pouches.
They’re nicotine-free, packed with natural energy boosters, and way safer than inhaling toxic metals. Just pop one in your mouth for a clean, discreet pick-me-up. Why risk your health when there’s a better option?
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