The terrifying cocktail of chemicals in your flavored vape: Scientists use AI to simulate the reactions in e-cigarettes – revealing 127 ‘acutely toxic’ compounds

Vape users are inhaling ‘acutely toxic’ substances that could cause a ‘new wave of chronic diseases’ in coming decades, a new study warns.

Researchers in Ireland have used artificial intelligence (AI) to simulate the chemical reactions that take place in flavored vapors, also known as e-cigarettes.

They discovered that e-liquids – the liquid that gives vapors their flavor – contain a ‘cocktail’ of chemicals that produce ‘toxic’ compounds when heated.

Vaping has a “significantly different chemical hazard profile compared to traditional tobacco smoking,” the study authors report.

While they don’t say vaping is more harmful than smoking tobacco, they are concerned that new health problems will arise from the vaping craze.

Based on the chemical compounds predicted by the AI, these could include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Research has already linked vaping to heart failure, lung disease and gum disease, although the NHS and health experts say evidence shows vaping is far less harmful than smoking.

Vaping has become widely accepted as an alternative to traditional smoking; around 4.5 million people in Britain regularly use e-cigarettes.

The new study was published by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), based in Dublin.

“We wanted to understand, before it’s too late, what impact flavored vapes are likely to have,” said lead author Professor Donal O’Shea from RCSI.

‘Our findings indicate a significantly different chemical hazard profile compared to what we know from traditional tobacco smoking.

“It is likely that we are on the verge of a new wave of chronic diseases that will emerge in fifteen to twenty years as a result of this exposure.”

From menthol to vanilla custard and sour strawberry, there are currently an estimated 40,000 vape flavors on the market worldwide.

But according to the researchers, there are only 180 known e-liquid flavor chemicals from which these flavors are derived, mixed in varying amounts.

This liquid flavoring in e-cigarettes is heated to high temperatures, creating vapor that is then inhaled.

The original source for the flavorings comes from the food industry, where they have a good safety record for specific applications in flavored drinks, baked goods and sweets.

However, they were not intended to be heated to high temperatures and inhaled, the researchers warn.

The experts used an AI neural network model – a method that teaches computers to process data in a similar way to the human brain – to simulate the effects of heating e-liquid flavor chemicals in vapes.

By examining all 180 known e-liquid flavor chemicals, the AI ​​was able to predict which new compounds are formed when these substances are heated.

Worryingly, the results showed the formation of many hazardous chemicals, including 127 classified as ‘acutely toxic’, 153 as ‘health hazards’ and 225 as ‘irritants’.

Of these, volatile carbonyls (VCs) – chemicals known for their negative health effects – were predicted to form in the fruit, candy and dessert flavored products, which tend to be most popular with younger vapers.

These VCs were found in all three classifications: acutely toxic, health hazards, and irritants.

“Our findings indicate a significantly different chemical hazard profile compared to traditional tobacco smoking,” says Professor O’Shea in a piece for The conversation.

‘The vast array of flavors available in vaping products – consisting of more than 180 different chemicals mixed in varying amounts – is what makes their chemistry so challenging compared to traditional cigarette smoke.’

He added that the problems are common to all vape flavors, meaning there is no “safe” option for vapers to opt for.

Earlier this year, the UK government introduced the Tobacco and Vaping Bill, which would give ministers the power to restrict the flavors and promotion of vapes to reduce the appeal of vapes to children.

However, Professor O’Shea said his findings indicate that there is a ‘need for even stricter regulation – and quickly’.

“Our study has revealed something that has received limited attention until now: the potentially harmful substances produced when e-liquids in vaping devices are heated for inhalation,” he said.

The experts believe vaping is appealing to younger generations who have never smoked tobacco, largely due to the colorful packaging and low awareness about the health risks of vaping.

Flavored vapors are an ‘attractive and common entry point’ and can even lead to a switch to tobacco smoking, research shows.

Jacob George, professor of cardiovascular medicine and therapeutics at the University of Dundee, who was not involved in the research, welcomed the use of AI in this way.

“There are almost 40,000 different flavors on the market worldwide today and understanding their effects will require a combination of techniques, including automated mapping algorithms and the creation of neural networks such as this,” says Professor George.

‘While this study cannot give us definitive answers about the risks of flavored vapors to human health, this study could be a useful first step to identify signals that could then lead to further, more in-depth research into the heat-induced degradation of chemicals used in flavorings.

‘This study combined artificial intelligence with previously known published information to predict that heating a combination of chemicals in flavored vapes could result in the production of a harmful toxic substance, and these predictions can then be tested with further research.

‘There is very little good quality evidence to date for the safety or harm of these flavorings and so I welcome new strategies being employed by these researchers.’

The new study has been published in the journal Scientific reports.