Toxic uranium and lead exposure linked to teen vaping

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New research suggests that young people who vape may be exposing themselves to toxic heavy metals, with higher levels of lead and uranium detected in the urine of intermittent and high frequency users.
 
The research, published in the Tobacco Control Journal, studied 200 teenage vapers identified from responses to the national PATH Youth Study from December 2018 to November 2019, which involved 1607 people aged 13–17.
 
Urine sample analysis revealed lead levels were 40% higher in intermittent vapers (6–19 days per month) and 30% higher in frequent vapers (20 or more days per month) than they were with occasional vapers (1–5 days per month).
 
Meanwhile, urinary uranium levels were twice as high among frequent vapers than in occasional vapers.
 
Vape flavours were also analysed in the study and grouped into four categories:

• Menthol or mint
• Fruit
• Sweet, such as chocolate and desserts
• Others, like tobacco, clove, spice and alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks

The comparison of flavours indicated 90% higher uranium levels among those who preferred sweet flavours as opposed to menthol or mint.
 
According to the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, the latest National Drug Strategy Household Survey found the number of Australian teenagers aged 14–17 who used vapes in the past year rose significantly from 1.8% in 2019 to 9.7% in 2022–23.
 
Young females are also using vapes more, with 13.5% of girls reporting use in the past year compared to 7.1% for boys.
 
The Australian Secondary Students’ Alcohol and Drug Survey in December 2023 found 29.9% of young Australians aged 12–17 have tried e-cigarettes and vaping devices.
 
The US researchers acknowledge the study is observational only and therefore no definite conclusions can be drawn.
 
They said although urinary testing indicates chronic exposure, the assessment from one point in time in means uranium’s presence in the urine may be attributable to ‘various sources’, including environmental exposure from natural deposits, industrial activities and dietary intake.
 
‘Nonetheless, these compounds are known to cause harm in humans,’ they write.
 
‘Of particular concern were the increased uranium levels found within the sweet flavour.
 
‘Candy-flavoured e-cigarette products make up a substantial proportion of adolescent vapers, and sweet taste in e-cigarettes can suppress the harsh effects of nicotine and enhance its reinforcing effects, resulting in heightened brain cue-reactivity.’
 
The study’s authors also noted that absorbing these heavy metals during ‘periods of development’ can have harmful effects, citing research that shows increased exposure is linked to cognitive impairment, behavioural disturbances, respiratory complications, cancer and cardiovascular disease in children.
 
Despite the study finding only possible correlations, the paper’s authors say the risk is enough to warrant further research, regulation and targeted health interventions for adolescents.
 
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