A groundbreaking study published in the esteemed journal Tobacco Control has sounded the alarm on the dangers of vaping among young people, revealing a heightened risk of exposure to toxic metals such as lead and uranium.
The research, which scrutinized the urine metal levels of 200 e-cigarette users aged 13-17, uncovered a disturbing correlation between prolonged vaping and increased metal exposure.
The study found that individuals who used e-cigarettes for extended periods (six to 19 days or over 20 days in the previous month) exhibited higher urine lead levels compared to those who only used e-cigarettes for a brief period (one to five days in the last month).
New research reveals dangers of vapes (Credits: RNZ)
Those who used e-cigarettes for over 20 days in the month before also showed elevated urine uranium levels. The median age of the participants was approximately 16 years, highlighting the vulnerability of young people to the harmful effects of vaping.
The study’s findings are a stark reminder of the potential long-term consequences of vaping on brain and organ development, emphasizing the need for stringent regulations to safeguard the youth population against addiction and metal exposure.
A separate study revealed that e-cigarette users face a 19% increased risk of developing heart failure compared to non-users. This alarming statistic is compounded by the Centers for Disease Control‘s (CDC) finding that over 1 in 10 Americans aged 18-24 regularly use e-cigarettes.
Vaping Regularly May Expose Teens to More Toxic Lead (Credits: Newsweek)
While vaping may be perceived as a means to quit cigarettes, the CDC study also uncovered a concerning trend of dual use, where individuals smoke cigarettes and vape interchangeably. This dual use has been identified as a health concern, potentially leading to greater exposure to toxins and worse respiratory outcomes than using either product alone.
The CDC study noted that in 2021, most e-cigarette users aged 18-24 had never smoked cigarettes, yet the percentage of adults aged 18-24 who were dual users of e-cigarettes and cigarettes was comparable to that among adults aged 25-44 (1.8% compared with 2.0%).
This suggests a growing trend of dual use among young adults, underscoring the need for urgent action to address the vaping epidemic and protect the health and well-being of our youth.
