A recent study conducted in Ireland has revealed that flavoured vaping products may release over 100 toxic chemicals when heated and inhaled. The research, published in Nature, utilized artificial intelligence to analyze how chemicals from 180 vape flavours are transformed and impact the human body. The study found that the chemicals used in e-liquids are typically derived from food and cosmetics, leading to the production of harmful unknown secondary chemical entities when heated. Acute toxins, health hazards, and irritants were among the 127 toxins identified in the vaping products studied.
According to the study’s co-author, Donal O’Shea, the exposure to these harmful chemicals poses a high risk of immediate serious injury, particularly if the dose is high. Previous studies have also identified dangerous chemicals in flavoured vaping products, including a U.S. study linking vaping to an increased risk of exposure to lead, uranium, and cadmium, which can lead to systemic harm and increased risk of certain cancers. Despite a slight decrease in youth vaping rates, Canadian teenagers have some of the highest rates of e-cigarette use globally, highlighting the need for regulation and awareness around the potential risks associated with vaping.
The use of artificial intelligence in the study allowed researchers to estimate the chemical composition of 180 flavours by simulating their decomposition when heated, a process known as heat-induced pyrolysis. The findings revealed that nearly every flavour analyzed contained at least one product classified as a health hazard. O’Shea emphasized the importance of addressing the accumulation of these toxins over time, which can lead to cellular damage in the lungs and potentially other organs, increasing the risk of developing various diseases.
In response to the study’s findings, the Canadian federal government announced plans to ban most vape flavours and reformulate existing flavours with Health Canada-approved ingredients. While these regulations have not been implemented yet, flavoured vapes have already been banned in five provinces and territories. Health Canada emphasizes that vaping aerosols can produce harmful chemicals and that vaping is not harmless, especially for young people and those who do not use tobacco products. The researchers from RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences hope that their study will serve as an informative public health resource and emphasize the need for strict limitations on the number of chemical entities in e-liquids to reduce potential harm.
O’Shea, who is a chemistry professor at RCSI, stresses the importance of political leaders implementing regulations to control the chemicals used in vaping products. He believes that adults and politicians need to take responsibility for preventing teenagers from accessing harmful vaping products and advocates for stricter regulations to protect public health. The research team concludes that as vaping poses a new and unprecedented stress on the human body, measures must be taken to limit the toxic chemicals present in e-liquids. They urge policymakers to prioritize public health and address the potential risks associated with vaping to safeguard the well-being of the population.
