E-Cigarettes Increase the Risk of Exposure to Lead and Uranium in Adolescents

Consumption of e-cigarettes or e-cigarettes in teenagers has been proven to increase the risk of exposure to lead and uranium.

RIZA FATHONI

A number of pieces of evidence of vaping liquid resulting from action against excise goods were released at the office of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Rawamangun, Jakarta, Friday (25/10/2019). The prosecution succeeded in securing evidence without excise stamps in the form of 8,084,260 cigarettes, 37,180 e-cigarettes, 21,650 grams of sliced ​​tobacco, 2,700 cigars, 228 bottles of liquor, 2,000 essences and imported tobacco extracts, cartridges, along with < i>devices various brands, heatsticks devices, and proof of transactions.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Regular consumption of vape or e-cigarettes in teenagers can increase the risk of exposure to lead and uranium which have the potential to harm brain development and organ. These latest research findings underscore the need to implement regulations and efforts to prevent e-cigarettes targeting teenagers, including in Indonesia.

This research report was published online in the journal Tobacco Control on Monday (29/4/2024). Andrew Kochvar of the University of Nebraska Medical Center was first author.

Electronic cigarettes are currently very popular among teenagers, including teenage girls. It is estimated that by 2022, 14 percent of high school students in the United States, or around 2.14 million people, and more than 3 percent of high school students, or around 380,000 people, will report using electronic cigarettes.

The Chairman of the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association, Agus Dwi Susanto, during the presentation of the results of a study on electronic cigarettes in Indonesia in January 2024, stated that Indonesia ranks first in the world as a consumer of electronic cigarettes. Around 25 percent of the Indonesian population have used the cigarette alternative commonly known as vape.

Based on the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2021, the prevalence of adult electronic cigarette smokers (> 15 years old) in Indonesia is 3 percent. The prevalence rate has increased by 10 times in the past 10 years.

Also read: WHO Urges Every Country to Strict Use of Electric Cigarettes

Heavy metal content

Several previous studies have found that certain metals have been identified in aerosols and fluids of electronic cigarettes. The absorption of these substances is highly dangerous during the developmental period. The increased level of exposure to these substances is associated with cognitive disorders, behavioral disorders, respiratory complications, cancer, and cardiovascular disease in children.

Kochvar and his team wanted to know whether levels of potentially toxic metals might be related to vaping frequency and whether flavors might have an effect. They took responses to the PATH Youth Study, which involved 1,607 youth between the ages of 13 and 17. Researchers succeeded in analyzing 200 vape user respondents.

Their urine samples were tested to determine the presence of cadmium, lead, and uranium, and the frequency of consuming electronic cigarettes was categorized as occasional (1-5 days/month), intermittent (6-19 days/month), and frequent (20+ days/month).

Vape flavors are grouped into four mutually exclusive categories: menthol or mint; fruit; sweet, like chocolate or dessert; and others, such as tobacco, cloves or spices, and alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.

Among 200 exclusive vape users (63 percent female), 65 reported occasional use of vape, 45 reported intermittent use of vape, and 81 reported frequent use; while 9 people were unclear about their frequency.

The average number of puffs per day increases in line with the frequency of consuming electronic cigarettes: occasional = 0.9 puffs; intermittent = 7.9 puffs; frequent = 27 puffs.

In the previous 30 days, 1 in 3 (33 percent) vape users said they used menthol/mint flavors, half (50 percent) preferred fruit flavors, more than 15 percent preferred sweet flavors, and 2 percent used another taste.

Analysis of urine samples showed that lead levels were more than 40 percent higher in intermittent vape users, and 30 percent higher in routine vape users compared to occasional vape users. The urine uranium levels were also twice as high in people who frequently use vape as compared to those who rarely use vape.

The use of electronic cigarettes during adolescence can increase the possibility of exposure to metals, which can have a negative impact on brain and organ development.

A comparison of flavor types showed uranium levels were 90 percent higher in vape users who preferred sweet flavors compared to those who chose menthol/mint. No statistically significant differences were found in urinary cadmium levels between vaping frequency or flavor types.

This research is observational so it cannot conclude regarding toxic metal levels and the frequency/taste of vaping. However, the researchers caution that levels of toxic metals in vapes will vary based on the brand and type of vaporizer used (tank, pod, mod).

Although the level of urine shows chronic exposure, they are only assessed at a single point in time, and the presence of uranium in urine may be caused by various sources, including environmental exposure from natural deposits, industrial activities, and food intake.

"Nevertheless, these compounds are known to cause harm to humans," they wrote. Of special concern is the increasing levels of uranium found in the sweet taste category.

According to Kochvar and his team, sweet-flavored electronic cigarette products are mostly used by teenage vape users, and the sweetness in electronic cigarettes can suppress the harsh effects of nicotine and enhance its reinforcing effect, thus increasing brain signal reactivity.

They concluded that the use of electronic cigarettes during adolescence can increase the likelihood of exposure to metals, which can have a negative impact on brain and organ development.

Also read: Mistakes on E-Cigarettes to Stop Smoking

In their recommendations, the researchers said the findings warrant further research, vaping regulations, and targeted public health interventions to reduce the potential harm of e-cigarette use, particularly among youth.