SYDNEY, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Vaping devices can deliver toxic metals directly into lung tissue, new Australian research reveals, challenging assumptions that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking.
The study showed that even short-term vaping at exposure levels below typical daily human use resulted in measurable accumulation of toxic metals in lung tissue, including lead, copper and nickel, said a statement of Australia's University of Technology Sydney (UTS) released Friday.
The pre-clinical study provides the first evidence that e-cigarette aerosols contain metal species linked to tin and mercury, which are often more bioavailable and biologically reactive than inorganic metals.
The findings reveal "under-recognized hazards" associated with vaping, said Dayanne Bordin, a UTS lecturer in analytical chemistry, lead researcher of the study published in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.
"The metal profiles observed are consistent with emissions from heating coils and electrical components," Bordin said, noting that current safety assessments often overlook emissions originating from device components such as heating coils.
Unlike conventional cigarettes, e-cigarette devices vary widely in design and manufacturing quality, potentially increasing exposure risks, the study said.
The findings come amid rising e-cigarette use, particularly among young people. In Australia, e-cigarette use among young adults rose from 5.3 percent in 2019 to more than 21 percent in 2023, with a similar rise in adolescents.
Researchers called for a review of vaping regulations, including routine testing of device-derived emissions and updated public health guidance on metal exposure and bioaccumulation. ■
