NEW YORK, June 26: Disposable e-cigarettes, often promoted as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, may carry more toxic risks than previously believed, according to new research from the University of California, Davis.

In a study published Wednesday in ACS Central Science, researchers found that several popular disposable vape brands emit dangerous levels of toxic metals — including lead, nickel, and antimony — with some devices releasing more lead in a single day than found in nearly an entire pack of cigarettes.

“We found that these disposable devices have toxins already present in the e-liquid, or they’re leaching quite extensively from their components into e-liquids and ultimately transferred to the smoke,” said lead study author Mark Salazar, a PhD candidate in the UC Davis Department of Environmental Toxicology. Salazar began the research after questioning what his vaping friend might be inhaling.

Seven flavored disposable devices from top-selling brands — ELF Bar, Flum Pebble, and Esco Bar — were tested. Each device was activated to produce between 500 and 1,500 puffs, simulating about a week’s worth of usage. The scientists used specialized instruments to assess the metal content of the vapors.

Results showed that three of the tested vapes released lead and nickel levels that exceeded cancer safety thresholds, while two surpassed antimony limits. Lead and nickel emissions were particularly concerning in several Esco Bar products, which released four to 13 times more lead within the first 200 puffs than a standard pack of 20 cigarettes — roughly equivalent to smoking 19 cigarettes in one day.

“These risks are not just worse than other e-cigarettes but worse in some cases than traditional cigarettes,” said senior study author Brett Poulin, an assistant professor at UC Davis. “Our study highlights the hidden risk of these new and popular disposable electronic cigarettes — with hazardous levels of neurotoxic lead and carcinogenic nickel and antimony — which stresses the need for urgency in enforcement.”

All three heavy metals identified in the study are classified as potential carcinogens and have been linked to a range of serious health issues. Lead exposure is known to increase the risk of brain, lung, and kidney cancers, while nickel has been associated with nasal and sinus cancers. Antimony, commonly used in batteries and flame retardants, also poses potential cancer risks.

The researchers noted that while only three brands were examined among hundreds on the market, the findings raise red flags for youth and young adults, the most frequent users of disposable vapes.

Although e-cigarettes contain fewer known carcinogens than traditional tobacco — about 2,000 compared to 7,000 — the high concentration of heavy metals found in some disposable models presents a significant health concern. Importantly, while conventional cigarettes have long been proven to cause lung cancer, the same direct link has yet to be established for vaping.

The study also warned that newer disposable vapes may be even more hazardous than earlier refillable models due to design changes and the use of different materials in their heating elements, which appear to contribute to elevated metal emissions.

In recent years, regulatory efforts have struggled to keep pace with the rapid growth of the vaping industry. Though flavored e-cigarettes were restricted at the federal level and in states like New York in 2020, enforcement has been inconsistent. According to Reuters, illegal vape sales in the U.S. reached an estimated $2.4 billion in 2023, raising further concern about unregulated products entering the market.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that approximately 17 million U.S. adults vape, alongside 6% of middle school students and 8% of high schoolers who reported using vapes in the past 30 days.

Though marketed as a safer option and a tool for quitting smoking, recent studies suggest that e-cigarettes may elevate the risk of both heart and lung damage. In one recent case from New Jersey, a man reportedly died from what is believed to be the first documented instance of lung cancer directly linked to vaping.

As the popularity of disposable e-cigarettes continues to rise, scientists and health officials are calling for more robust research, stricter regulations, and better consumer awareness about the potential dangers hidden in these widely available devices.