They were born as an alternative “cleaner” to traditional cigarettes, but today the electronic cigarettes I am increasingly under accusation. Promoted for years as an effective tool for quitting smoking, they are proving to be dangerous for those who use them regularly and above all for the youngest, who often begin to vaporize without having ever touched a conventional cigarette. The numbers are clear: About 11 million Americans use usual e-cigbut most end up smoking both types. Meanwhile, the alarm for the increase in nicotine addiction between teenagers and young adults also grows.
Now, a New study published in the magazine ACS Central Science raises even more serious doubts. The research discovered that some US-free models are released dangerously high levels of toxic metalsin quantities that in some cases even exceed those of traditional cigarette packages.
Lead, nickel and antimony in the vapors
The alarm was launched by a team from the University of California, in Davis. The group, led by Professor Brett Poulin, analyzed Seven disposable models belonging to three very popular brands: Esco Bar, Flum Pebble and Elfbar. The results were surprising and disturbing. Devices release leada metal neurotoxicbut also nickel and antimonysubstances classified as potentially carcinogenic.
Mark SalazarPhD student of the Poulin laboratory and the first author of the study explained that it was the desire to understand what he was inhaling a friend of his, habitual vaping, who pushed him to investigate:
When I saw lead concentrations for the first time, they were so high that I thought that our measurement tool was broken.
The most shocking data? Some devices produced a quantity of lead in a single day higher than that contained in 20 packages of classic cigarettes. In addition, in the vapors they were found Consistent traces of nickel (which can damage the lungs and cause tumor forms) and antimonya substance linked to different risks to human health.
Disposable electronic cigarettes are more toxic than the rechargeable versions
To further worry is the fact that the most recent devices, especially the disposable ones, seem to be still more dangerous than rechargeable versions. The researchers observed that Toxic metals come in part from the liquid itselfbut also from internal components of the device That release chemicals during use.
According to Poulin as stated:
The results highlight a risk hidden in the new disposable electronic models, with dangerous levels of lead, nickel and antimony, which justify an urgent action by the health and regulatory authorities.
but of a complex reality, where “alternative” products can prove to be even more harmful, especially if poorly regulated and easily accessible.
Companies defend themselves, but experts ask for more checks
After the publication of the study, An Elfbar spokesman contested the conclusionsclaiming that The devices analyzed would not be authentic and remembering that the company has Exports to the United States is suspended in 2023due to a legal dispute on the brand.
We have founded reasons to believe that the tested devices are not authentic ELFBAR products and it is therefore incorrect to attribute those results to us. Smoking is still today the main cause of avoidable death, and this type of attack undermines the trust of the public towards the most effective cessation methods.
In the meantime, the authors of the study underline the urgency of better regulate the e-cig marketthat you are developing scientific research faster. In the United States, in fact, The ban on the sale of the flavored electronic cigarettes introduced in 2020 It is not applied systematically, and every month New devices make their appearance on the market.
