Toxic metals in vapes linked with major health problems in youth, study finds
A new study is sounding the alarm about a possible link between vaping and exposure to toxic metals. The research found traces of lead, uranium and cadmium in samples from teenagers who both frequently and rarely smoke from vapes. The study warned that these exposures are particularly harmful to young people whose brains are still developing. Inhaling toxic metals was found to be linked to a number of health problems, including cognitive impairments, cardiovascular diseases. Cancer. Chantelle Valerand from Drugs Free Kids says the findings point to the harms from even just one puff. When you’re developing your brain and your organs, there is immediate concern that kids should be aware. And although they may think that it’s harmless, as I mentioned it is not. Health Canada data from last year shows that the number of Canadian teenagers regularly using vapes ranks among the highest in the world. 30% of Canadian youth aged 15 to 19 said they tried vaping in their lifetime. Valeran says she hopes the toxic metal findings help youth become more educated about vaping. I would hope that parents would use this with the use this study as a trigger for them to engage in a conversation and and just, you know, out of curiosity, talk to their kids about what they know. The toxic metal study was published in a journal called Tobacco Control. Canada’s Mental Health and Addictions Minister Yara Sachs told Global News that vapes, quote, have no place in the hands of youth. Naomi Bargial, Global News.