Lead, arsenic, nickel, cobalt… toxic compounds and heavy metals in electronic cigarettes: 60 million consumers warn

En France, il y aurait quatre millions de vapoteurs, estime 60 millions de consommateurs. ENVATO ELEMENT

Le magazine de défense des consommateurs a testé six e-cigarettes. Il constate "la migration de métaux" dans les bouffées aspirées par les utilisateurs, selon l’enquête publiée dans le numéro de ce mois de janvier.

Heavy metals in puffs taken by users: this is the conclusion of a study by the magazine 60 Million Consumers, which looks at the composition of the liquid used in electronic cigarettes, and what happens when it is transformed into vapor.

The results are published in the January issue.

To arrive at these results, the magazine tested six e-cigarettes. “Before analyzing the puffs, we looked at the compliance of the e-liquids with regard to the displayed nicotine level. All were compliant” with the Afnor standard, the magazine indicates. But they were “higher than the rates displayed”.

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What happens when the liquid is heated? “Heavy metals migrate into all models”, notes 60 million consumers.

Traces of arsenic

The models were selected from the brands Aspire, Vaporesso, Eleaf, Geekvape, Innokin, Voopoo.

“Certain metals, not detected in e-liquids, were detected in puffs“, notes 60 million consumers. This is particularly the case “of arsenic, present in trace amounts“.

“Heating does indeed influence the migration of metals: the higher the power the resistors were used at, the greater the quantity of heavy metals measured in the puffs”, observes the magazine.

Lead, arsenic, nickel, cobalt, chromium… the presence of toxic compounds and heavy metals is documented.

Should we be worried?“We compared the values ​​to the thresholds used for inhaled medications, air quality or occupational exposure limits. In total, only the lead and nickel levels can raise concerns for heavy vapers'”, the study concludes.

When asked by the investigators, Claude Bamberger, president of the Independent Association of Electronic Cigarette Users (Aiduce) wanted to be reassuring: “It is a subject for improvement but not for alarm, in light of the actual daily exposure data”.

“Less harmful than combustible cigarettes”, according to the Ministry of Health

The observation is not new: it confirms data recalled in recommendations issued on October 5, 2022, by the Ministry of Health. It specifies the framework for the use of vaping products: “These products or their emissions may contain toxic or potentially toxic substances and their long-term health effects are insufficiently known”.

Finally, still according to the Ministry of Health: “Many studies suggest that, for smokers, vaping products could be less harmful than combustible cigarettes. However, this health benefit is canceled out when there is simultaneous consumption of tobacco products with vaping products”.