A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Riverside has shed light on the potential health risks associated with ultrasonic cigarettes, or u-cigarettes. Marketed as a safer alternative to traditional e-cigarettes, u-cigarettes have been found to contain harmful metals in their liquids and aerosols, posing significant health concerns.
U-cigarettes operate using a “sonicator” that vibrates a liquid solution containing nicotine, flavorings, and propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin to create microscopic droplets known as aerosols. Unlike traditional e-cigarettes that use heating coils, u-cigarettes utilize high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations. The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, analyzed the chemical elements and metals present in various flavors of SURGE u-cigarettes, JUUL e-cigarettes, and other pod-style e-cigarettes.
Esther Omaiye, a postdoctoral researcher involved in the study, highlighted the need to investigate the claim that u-cigarettes are less harmful than e-cigarettes. The research identified 16 elements in the fluid and aerosol samples, with u-cigarettes showing higher concentrations of metals compared to fourth-generation e-cigarettes. These metals are typically unintended contaminants and raise serious health concerns.
One of the most concerning findings was the presence of arsenic and selenium in SURGE u-cigarettes, both of which are listed on the FDA’s Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents List. These elevated levels of metals in u-cigarettes can lead to severe health consequences, including lung diseases, organ damage, and cancer. Even essential metals like zinc and selenium can become toxic at high levels when inhaled through contaminated aerosols.
The researchers emphasized the urgent need for regulations to limit the presence of harmful metals in u-cigarettes and called for routine surveillance to identify products with abnormally high metal levels. They also stressed the importance of staying informed about the risks associated with vaping technologies and exercising caution when evaluating safety claims.
Moving forward, the researchers plan to expand their studies on emerging tobacco products and technologies to better understand their impact on public health. They underscored the necessity for independent research on vaping technologies to assess metal exposure risks and advocate for stricter manufacturing regulations to ensure the safety of device components and vaping liquids.
In conclusion, the study’s findings highlight the potential dangers of inhaling harmful metals present in u-cigarettes and emphasize the need for ongoing research and regulatory measures to safeguard public health. Users and non-users alike are urged to educate themselves on the risks associated with vaping and remain proactive in monitoring the safety of vaping products.
