More Risks of Teen Vaping: Lead and Uranium Exposure

A new study has found that teens who vape frequently are exposing themselves to harmful metals like lead and uranium, raising concerns about the potential health risks associated with e-cigarette use among adolescents.

Lead levels in urine were found to be 40% higher among intermittent vapers and 30% higher among frequent vapers compared to occasional vapers, according to the study published in the journal Tobacco Control. Additionally, urinary levels of uranium were twice as high among frequent vapers as occasional vapers.

Researchers warned that exposure to these heavy metals could harm the developing brains of teenagers, leading to thinking problems and behavioral disorders. The metals also increase the risk of breathing problems, cancer, and heart disease.

Dr. Hongying Dai, the lead researcher from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, emphasized the need for further research, vaping regulation, and targeted public health interventions to mitigate the potential harms of e-cigarette use among adolescents.

The study analyzed data from 200 teenage vapers and found that those who preferred sweet flavors had 90% higher uranium levels in their urine compared to those who chose menthol or mint flavors. Researchers expressed particular concern about the uranium levels found in vape flavors like chocolate, candy, or desserts.

With an estimated 14% of high school students and 3% of middle school students using e-cigarettes in 2022, the findings underscore the importance of addressing the health risks associated with vaping among young people.