Toxic chemicals in lolly-flavoured vapes revealed in tests revealing arsenic, formaldehyde and lead
Revealed: The horror cocktail of toxic chemicals in lollipop-flavored vapes that appeal to kids – including material used to make paint
- Study of ‘lollipop’ flavored vapes reveals toxic chemical cocktail
- All vapes contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals
- Contains arsenic, formaldehyde, lead and nicotine
An analysis of ‘lollipop’ flavored vapes, a favorite among schoolchildren, showed that they all contained an alarmingly toxic cocktail of chemicals and nicotine.
The lab tests of the vapes sold across Queensland were ordered by Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk after she raised concerns about the availability of the flavored vapes.
The results showed that these fumes contained harmful chemicals such as arsenic, formaldehyde and lead.
A report on the vapors prepared for the state government noted that users inhale both heavy metals such as zinc and high levels of nicotine.
Under current law, e-cigarettes containing nicotine can only be sold by a pharmacy to those who have a prescription, but the vapes tested showed that store-bought vapes contained up to 47,000 milligrams per kilogram.
That means a 5ml vape can contain as much nicotine as six packs of cigarettes.
Lab tests have shown that lollipop-flavored vapes, favored by schoolchildren across the country, contain harmful chemicals such as arsenic, zinc, lead, formaldehyde and high levels of nicotine (stock image)
Lab testing of the vapes sold across Queensland found that all 17 samples contained five to 15 heavy metals and organic compounds typically used to make paints and pharmaceuticals (Gunnpod Meta Grape Ice was one of the vapes tested)
Of the 17 samples tested, all contained five to 15 heavy metals and organic compounds typically used to make paints and pharmaceuticals.
Some of these heavy metals are known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction and development and can even cause neurological disorders.
These vapes had visibly innocuous packaging and labels like IGET Bar Strawberry Watermelon Ice and Waka Smash Apple Surge.
The report also noted that all of the fumes contain two carbonyl compounds, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, known to irritate lung tissue.
“Formaldehyde is classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and acetaldehyde is classified as a possible human carcinogen,” the report states.
Other toxic heavy metals found in the fumes include lead, mercury, nickel, chromium, antimony, aluminum, iron, barium, manganese, copper, and vanadium
Other toxic heavy metals found included lead, mercury, nickel, chromium, antimony, aluminum, iron, barium, manganese, copper and vanadium.
Ms Palaszczuk said the findings were ‘staggering’.
“There are people who might think that vaping is safer than smoking, or even harmless,” she said.
“These test results should make those people think again.”