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The Independent
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Disposable e-cigarettes are more toxic than traditional cigarettes, researchers say
Disposable electronic cigarettes that are popular with teenagers are more toxic than traditional cigarettes, researchers cautioned on Wednesday. Researchers from the University of California at Davis found that, following a few hundred puffs, some vape pods and other e-cigarettes emit higher amounts of toxic metals than traditional cigarettes. One of the e-cigarettes they studied released more lead during the course of a day than nearly 20 packs of traditional cigarettes. In humans, exposure to lead has been shown to result in reproductive issues, high blood pressure, hypertension, nerve disorders, muscle and joint pain, and memory and concentration problems in adults. In children, it can lead to hearing problems, slowed growth, headaches, learning and behavioral difficulties, lowered IQ, and damage to the brain and nervous system. 'Our study highlights the hidden risk of these new and popular disposable electronic cigarettes — with hazardous levels of neurotoxic lead and carcinogenic nickel and antimony — which stresses the need for urgency in enforcement,' Brett Poulin, an assistant professor at the university's Davis Department of Environmental Toxicology, said in a statement. 'These risks are not just worse than other e-cigarettes but worse in some cases than traditional cigarettes.' Poulin was the senior author of the findings, which were published in the journal ACS Central Science. To reach these conclusions, the scientists analyzed the metal and elements that exhibit properties of metals in seven types of disposable devices from three of the most popular brands. The brands included Esco Bar, Flum Pebble, and ELF Bar. The brands did not immediately reply to The Independent's requests for comment. They activated the e-cigarettes and created between 500 and 1,500 puffs per device tested. The authors found that some devices emitted 'surprisingly high' concentrations of lead and antimony, that levels of chromium, nickel, and antimony increased as the number of puffs increased, and that most of the disposable e-cigarettes tested released markedly higher amounts of metals and metalloids into vapors than earlier and refillable vapes. Antimony is used in flame retardant, chromium is used in the production of stainless steel, and nickel is used in appliances and rechargeable batteries. Antimony is a hazardous substance that can cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, liver and kidney damage, and a hole in the septum. Chromium exposure is also linked to kidney and liver damage, as well as respiratory cancer and perforated eardrums. Nickel can cause a variety of side effects on human health, such as allergy, cardiovascular and kidney diseases, lung fibrosis, and lung and nasal cancer. There are other chemicals in e-cigarettes that also may cause cancer. Then, the researchers took the devices apart, hoping to trace the sources of the metals. They saw that components in some devices that were made of leaded bronze alloy had leached into e-liquids in the cartridges and that nickel was being released from heating coils. Antimony was also in the unused e-liquids. 'We found that these disposable devices have toxins already present in the e-liquid, or they're leaching quite extensively from their components into e-liquids and ultimately transferred to the smoke,' Mark Salazar, a Ph.D. candidate in Poulin's lab and the study's first author, explained. For daily users, vapors from three devices had nickel levels and two devices had antimony levels that exceeded cancer risk limits. Four of the devices had nickel and lead emissions that surpassed health-risk thresholds for illnesses besides cancer, such as neurological damage and respiratory diseases. E-cigarette use has been tied to lung injuries, with more than 2,800 hospitalizations and 68 deaths reported between the summer of 2019 and February 2020, according to Yale Medicine. Although most disposable e-cigarettes are illegal in the U.S., they remain available. Last week, the Supreme Court sided with companies in a ruling making it easier to sue over Food and Drug Administration decisions blocking their products from the market. ELF Bar and Esco Bar have been the focus of Food and Drug Administration scrutiny. ELF Bar's website says it is not available in the U.S. and FLUM is illegal under California's retail flavor ban. To date, 34 tobacco- and menthol-flavored e-cigarette products and devices have been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration. The majority of e-cigarette consumers are teens and young adults, including 1.63 million students, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Like regular cigarettes, most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm the parts of an adolescent's brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. Last year, however, use among youth plummeted to the lowest level in a decade. Still, the risks associated with using e-cigarettes remain, and young adults are at increased risk of lead exposure. The researchers noted that the market is outpacing science, heightening the need to enforce regulations around illegal e-cigarettes. 'Pediatric tobacco use and nicotine dependence are significant health concerns. Despite declines in cigarette use, youth still use tobacco products—including e-cigarettes—at high rates,' the American Academy of Pediatrics stresses.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Warning as disposable vapes found to contain toxic METALS linked to cancer
DISPOSABLE vapes could increase a person's risk of cancer, respiratory disease, and never damage, scientists have warned. While a ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes came into effect in the UK at the beginning of this month, researchers have revealed the hidden health risk for those continuing to use them. 1 In a new report published in ACS Central Science, it was found after a few hundred puffs, some disposable vaping devices release higher levels of toxic metals than refillable e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes. According to Brett Poulin, the corresponding author of the study from the University of California, Davis, hazardous levels of neurotoxic lead and carcinogenic nickel were found. Studies on early generations of refillable e-cigarettes found their heating components could release metals such as chromium and nickel ions into the internal liquid that becomes the vapour people breathe. In the past few years, disposable e-cigarettes have proven more popular than older refillable vapes - but little is known about the elemental composition of vapours from the newer devices. So Poulin and colleagues set out to assess popular disposable e-cigarette brands to evaluate the potential health risks they could pose to a user. Among their findings, one of the disposable e-cigarettes studied released more lead during a day's use than nearly 20 packs of traditional cigarettes. The researchers tested only three of the nearly 100 disposable e-cigarette brands available on store shelves. But they said the results are concerning because of their popularity, especially among adolescents and young adults. Disposable vapes have been found to pose several dangers. They often contain high levels of nicotine, which is highly addictive and can lead to dependence, making it difficult to quit, especially for young people whose brains are still developing, say experts. Disposable vapes will be banned across UK by next summer to stop Britain's kids from getting hooked Vaping in general can also cause coughing, shortness of breath, and irritation of the throat and nose. It can also exacerbate existing respiratory conditions like asthma and potentially lead to lung scarring or EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury). And long-term vaping may impair blood vessel function, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Disposable vapes were banned in the UK primarily due to environmental concerns and the increasing popularity of vaping among children. Disposable vapes are often discarded as litter, contributing to pollution and harming wildlife. Their batteries can also pose fire risks in recycling facilities and leak harmful chemicals. Also, disposable vapes are seen as particularly appealing to children due to their flavours and attractive packaging, leading to a rise in youth vaping rates. The ban is specifically targeted at single-use vapes, while reusable vapes are still allowed, as they are seen as having a lower environmental impact and are used by adults to quit smoking. What's banned The ban specifically targets single-use, disposable vapes. This includes those with non-rechargeable or non-refillable batteries. Why the ban? The government cites two main reasons: reducing the environmental impact of disposable vapes (a major source of litter) and curbing the increasing number of young people becoming addicted to nicotine through vaping. Who is affected? The ban primarily affects retailers, who can no longer sell or supply disposable vapes. It also impacts manufacturers, wholesalers, and importers. What about consumers? While consumers can no longer purchase disposable vapes from retailers, they are not prohibited from using them. Alternatives Consumers can still access refillable and rechargeable vapes, which are not affected by the ban. Enforcement and penalties In England, retailers violating the ban may face a £200 fine for the first offence. Further infractions could result in unlimited fines or even prosecution.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists issue warning over bizarre phenomenon spotted in Alaskan rivers: 'Have to be stained a lot...'
Scientists have issued a warning about a striking but alarming sight that's occurring in Alaskan rivers. Green Matters detailed that at least 75 rivers in the state have started turning orange, a phenomenon that is even visible from space. Canadian photographer Taylor Roades has been documenting the startling scenes and recently posted he will be exhibiting his work under the title "Alaska's Rust Rivers" at the Anchorage Museum in March. Brett Poulin — an environmental toxicologist at the University of California, Davis, and co-author of a study on the problem published in the Communications Earth & Environment journal — noted that the rivers "have to be stained a lot" to be seen at such a distance. Researchers said this was happening because of toxic metals entering rivers from melting permafrost — defined as ground that has been frozen for more than two years. Levels of zinc, nickel, copper, iron, and cadmium in rivers are increasing, with these metals once trapped in soil but now entering waterways because of rising global temperatures leading to increased ice melt. The U.S. Geological Survey, cited by Green Matters, pointed out that the mildly acidic water pH level caused by these metals is equivalent to lemon juice or vinegar. Scientists are concerned that acidic water levels, and the toxicity of the metals, could negatively impact both marine and land ecosystems. Notably, it's suggested that the degradation of water quality could harm spawning fish, which could later strike a blow to the U.S. fishing industry. On top of that, it's feared that if we don't make changes to slow the rate of rising temperatures — which is exacerbated by the production of human-caused pollution — more permafrost could melt in the coming years, releasing further toxic materials into water sources. Rising sea levels and increased soil erosion are additional worries following melting permafrost. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. It sounds like a colossal task, but we can all take steps to prevent permafrost melt by reducing our production of planet-warming pollution, which traps heat in the atmosphere and encourages thermometers to rise. Starting small, you could switch off electric devices at night to stop needless power usage. The electricity grid, while increasingly supported by wind and solar energy, still relies on burning dirty fuels to create energy. Stepping up slightly, you and your family could switch to one plant-based meal a week. According to Earth Day, doing so could prevent the equivalent pollution of taking your car off the road for over a month. Major actions include ditching your gas-guzzling car for an electric version or investing in sustainable domestic energy technology, like solar panels. Both of these changes could save you money in the long run, too. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
