UC Davis Study Highlights Toxic Risks of Illegal Disposable Vapes
A new study conducted by the University of California (UC) Davis has uncovered alarming levels of toxic metals in illegal disposable e-cigarettes, raising concerns about their potential to increase cancer risk compared to traditional cigarettes. Published in the journal ACS Central Science, the research highlights the presence of hazardous substances such as lead, nickel, and antimony, which are known carcinogens, in widely sold devices that are not FDA-authorized for use in the U.S.
Researchers tested the puffs from three popular brands — ELF Bar, Flum Pebble, and Esco — which are commonly sold by retailers despite not being approved for use in the U.S. The study found that all tested devices, regardless of flavor, contained high levels of heavy metals. These metals are classified as carcinogens and have been linked to various cancers, including skin, lung, and kidney cancers, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Brett Poulin, the senior study author and assistant professor at UC Davis Department of Environmental Toxicology, expressed shock at the lead concentrations found in the samples, which exceeded previous records and were even higher than what was published in scientific literature. One of the brands tested was found to expose users to as much lead as smoking 19 packs of cigarettes. Some devices were found to use leaded copper alloys, which can leach dangerous levels of lead into e-liquid without being used, raising concerns about intentional design or manufacturing oversights.
While the study has limitations, such as testing only three brands out of hundreds available, the findings underscore the urgent need for greater oversight and regulation of disposable vapes, especially given their popularity and potential public health risks. The study received support from the University of California Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program Grant and the California Agricultural Experiment Station.