Chemicals in vapors can be very toxic when heated, research shows
Research shows that chemicals used to produce vapors can be acutely toxic when heated and inhaled.
Vaping devices heat the liquid flavoring to high temperatures to form an aerosol that is then inhaled. They contain chemicals, including vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, nicotine and flavorings, mixed in varying amounts.
Previous experiments have shown that some fruit-flavored vapes – such as strawberry, melon and blueberry – produce dangerous compounds called volatile carbonyls through this heating process.
These compounds are known to have health implications in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Because so many chemicals are used in tens of thousands of different vaping products, conducting experiments to test every brand and flavor for toxicity can take decades of research.
Instead, the study used AI to analyze the chemical composition of 180 vape flavors and simulate how they decompose when heated. The research, published in Scientific reportspredicted that fumes produce 127 “acutely toxic” chemicals, 153 “health hazards” and 225 “irritants.”
Nearly every flavor run by the AI forecaster showed at least one product classified as a health hazard, with many predicting several. The toxins were associated with vapes that did not contain nicotine, as well as vapes that did not contain nicotine.
The research team of RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublinconclude that there is a “potential public health threat facing Britain’s 4.5 million vapers” and that there is an urgent need for “enhanced restrictions” on flavors and regulations that reflect the health risks of vaping, especially for young people .
In January, the government announced it would ban disposable vapes and limit sweet and fruity flavors. Lead author Donal O’Shea, professor of chemistry at RCSI, said the UK government should go further and remove all flavors from vapes.
It is critical to understand the impact of flavored vapors on health “before it is too late,” he added.
“It is likely that we are on the verge of a new wave of chronic diseases that will emerge in 15 to 20 years as a result of these exposures.”
Given the popularity of flavored vapes among non-smoking teens and young adults, it is critical to understand the long-term effects of these products on public health, morbidity and mortality, the study concludes.
“Without comprehensive regulation as we try to treat the nicotine addictions of older tobacco smokers, there is a significant risk of passing on new health problems to younger generations.”
Commenting on the findings, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “The health advice is clear: if you don’t smoke, don’t vape and children should never vape.
“That is why we are banning disposable vapes and our Tobacco and Vaping Act includes powers to restrict the flavours, packaging and displays of vapes to reduce their appeal to children.
“It is clear that flavors such as cotton candy and cherry cola are deliberately targeted at children, rather than adult smokers trying to quit, which is completely unacceptable. That is why we are taking decisive action and restricting vape flavors.”
Prof. Sanjay Agrawal, special adviser to the Royal College of Physicians on tobacco, said that while vaping can be a very effective way to break the addiction to tobacco, it should only be used for this purpose.
“Vaping is not without risk, so those who do not smoke, including children and young people, should not vape either,” he said.