The problems caused by tobacco have been well known for decades. But The explosion of electronic cigarettes has raised many doubtspartly because they were initially marketed as a healthy alternative. But is vaping bad? Or is it at least less harmful than smoking regular cigarettes? This Monday, an investigation published in the magazine Tobacco control and aimed at youth, helps shed some light on this issue.

The main conclusion is clear: teenagers who frequently use e-cigarettes Their urine contains more uranium and lead than casual consumers. these devices, which can harm their developing brains and organs. Absorption of these metals is particularly harmful during periods of growth, the researchers said, citing previous studies that show high levels of exposure are associated with cognitive impairment, behavioral changes, respiratory complications, cancer and cardiovascular disease in children.

The findings are important because For many young people, e-cigarettes are part of everyday life.. In 2022, an estimated 3% of American students aged 12 to 14 vaped, a figure that increased to 14% among students aged 14 to 18. The scientists involved in this study wanted to see what impact all this had, and to do this they even analyzed whether there were differences in health depending on the taste of the e-cigarette.

To do this, they relied on responses from the nationally representative fifth wave (December 2018 to November 2019) of the PATH American Youth Study, which included 1,607 adolescents aged 13 to 17 years. From this group, 200 young vapers were selected.which were used for the study.

Their urine samples were tested for the presence of cadmium, lead and uranium.. They divided them into three groups depending on the frequency of smoking: intermittent (1 to 5 days per month), intermittent (6 to 19 days) and frequent (more than 20 days). Among 200 exclusive vapers (63% women), 65 reported occasional use, 45 reported occasional use, and 81 reported frequent use.

Analysis of urine samples showed that lead levels were 40% higher among occasional vapers and 30% higher among frequent vapers than among occasional vapers. Urinary uranium levels were also twice as high among frequent cigarette smokers than among occasional smokers.

The most harmful tastes

Vaping flavors were grouped into four mutually exclusive categories: menthol or mint; fruits; sweets such as chocolate or desserts; and others such as tobacco, cloves or spices, as well as alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. In the previous 30 days, one in three (33%) vapers said they used menthol/mint flavors; half (50%) prefer fruity flavors; just over 15% chose sweet flavors; and 2% used other flavors. A comparison of flavor types showed that among vapers who preferred sweet flavors, uranium levels were 90% higher. than among those who chose menthol/mint. In contrast, no statistically significant differences were found in cadmium levels.

Regardless, the researchers acknowledge the limitations. This is an observational study and therefore no definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding toxic metal levels and frequency/flavors of vaping. Additionally, levels of toxic metals in vaporizers are likely to vary depending on the brand and type of vaporizer used (tank, pod, mod). And the presence of uranium in urine can be associated with different sources.including the environmental impacts of natural deposits, industrial activities and diets, they add.

“Despite this, these compounds are known to cause harm to humans,” say the scientists themselves, who are particularly concerned about the dangers of some specific flavors. “Candy-flavored e-cigarettes make up a significant portion of vapers. adolescents, and the sweet taste of e-cigarettes may suppress the acute effects of nicotine and enhance its reinforcing effects, leading to greater brain reactivity,” they explain. “These findings call for more research, vaping regulation, and medical interventions.” specific public policies to mitigate the potential harms of e-cigarette use, especially among adolescents,” they add.

“Lead exposure is of particular concern because it is so harmful to the neurological development of young people. The presence of lead in e-cigarette aerosol has already been confirmed by various studies. Uranium is also a toxic metal, although the importance of e-cigarettes as a source of exposure to this metal requires more research., as the study authors themselves admit. Cadmium is important for tobacco, but it is not the same metal that is important for e-cigarettes, as this and other studies show,” says Pablo Olmedo, a professor in the Department of Legal Medicine, Toxicology and Physical Anthropology at the Faculty of Medicine. University of Granada, in a statement to SMC Spain.

The expert clarifies that the results of this study are consistent with the results of previous ones. Lead, he argues, can accumulate in the body throughout life, and we are exposed to it in different ways.. However, given the age of the participants in this study, which was their teenage years, it is expected that their lead levels would be affected by e-cigarette use. Although he notes that other metals such as nickel or chromium, which are the main resistance components of e-cigarettes, should have been measured to better assess metal exposure through said devices.

“This study is important because it adds further evidence to the role of e-cigarettes as a source of metal exposure. Due to the high toxicity of lead and its particularly harmful effects on young populations, the results of this study would support establishing stricter policies to control teen use of e-cigarettes. The great similarity in the composition and operation of e-cigarettes around the world makes this an issue that affects all countries where these devices are frequently used,” Olmedo concludes.