Warning that vaping may expose teens to URANIUM, lead and other toxic metals ... trends now
Vaping may expose teenagers to toxic metals which could harm the brain and other vital organs, research suggests.
The risk could be even higher in sweet e-cigarette flavours which are typically favoured by youngsters.
Experts said the findings underscore the need for tighter regulations and prevention efforts to stop the targeting of teens.
The analysis involved 200 US teenagers, aged 13 to 17, who were categorised as either frequent, intermittent or occasional vapers.
Usage was determined by the average number of puffs per day, ranging from 27 puffs, 7.9 and 0.9 puffs respectively.
Biomarkers in the urine were then assessed for the presence of the metals lead, uranium and cadmium. Both frequent and intermittent e-cigarette users had higher lead levels in their urine than those who vaped occasionally, the study found
Biomarkers in the urine were then assessed for the presence of the metals lead, uranium and cadmium.
Both frequent and intermittent e-cigarette users had higher lead levels in their urine than those who vaped occasionally, the study found.
Frequent vapers also had higher levels of uranium in their urine compared to occasional users.
Different vape flavours effected the uranium levels, according to the findings published in Tobacco Control.
A third of vapers preferred menthol or mint flavours, while 49.8 per cent used fruit flavoured vapes and 15.3 per cent used sweet flavoured vapes.
According to researchers, those who used sweet flavour vapes had higher uranium levels compared to those who preferred menthol or mint.
Researchers acknowledged the study's limitations, including that the presence of uranium in urine could be down to environmental exposure or dietary intake.
However,
