Researchers at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have demonstrated that even brief vaping, at exposure levels lower than typical daily human use, can lead to the accumulation of dangerous metals such as lead, copper, and nickel in lung tissue.
In a study published in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, the team found that e-cigarette aerosols contain metal-based (organometallic) compounds, including those linked to tin and mercury. These forms are often more bioavailable and biologically reactive than their inorganic counterparts.
Lead researcher Dayanne Bordin, a lecturer in analytical chemistry, said the findings from the preclinical study reveal under-recognised hazards associated with vaping.
She explained that metal emissions and their biological effects are rarely considered in current safety assessments or widely understood by the public.
According to Dr Bordin, the study’s findings support the need to update risk assessment frameworks and public health guidelines to include metal exposure and bioaccumulation while also improving consumer awareness of these previously overlooked risks.
“Unlike cigarettes, which are relatively consistent products, e-cigarettes and vaping devices are often manufactured with poor quality control, involving materials and components with unknown toxicological relevance,” she said.
“The metal profiles we observed are consistent with emissions from heating coils and electrical components. This identifies the device itself as a critical source of exposure and highlights important gaps in how vaping risks are currently evaluated.”
Dr. Bordin noted that this is particularly concerning because many people believe vaping is less harmful than conventional smoking. This perception, combined with aggressive and sometimes misleading marketing, has contributed to the rapid global uptake of e-cigarettes, especially among younger people.
“Our findings challenge the assumption that e-cigarettes are safer and show the urgent need to review current vaping regulations. These should be expanded to include device-derived emissions, not just e-liquid composition,” she said.
“Vaping can deliver toxic metals directly into the lungs, even after short-term use. This is important information for anyone considering vaping, especially young people, as these exposures are largely invisible and rarely discussed.”
She added that there is a clear need for stricter standards and routine testing of metal and organometallic emissions from e-cigarettes—particularly from heating coils and internal components.
@ Nigerian Tribune
