Karnataka, India: Components within certain cannabis vape cartridges may leach metals such as nickel and cadmium when exposed to high temperatures, according to a literature review published in the journal Scientific World.
A pair of researchers reviewed data from nine previously published studies. Studies identified the presence of heavy metals like nickel, chromium, lead, cobalt, cadmium, and copper in cannabis vape (CV) e-liquids and aerosols. Investigators suggested that “long-term contact between the metal parts of the CV and the acidic liquid may cause metal dissolution.”
They reported: “Metals like Pb [lead], Co [cobalt], Cr [chromium], Ni [nickel], and Cu [copper] are released from the structural components of CVs when operated at high temperatures. Factors like device age and storage, vape liquid composition and pH, operating temperature, and design characteristics of CVs influence metal dissolution. … However, these results cannot be generalized to all CVs, as the studies were primarily experimental.”
The study’s authors concluded: “Regulatory guidelines are needed to prevent CV liquid contamination from accessories or packaging. … Future research is warranted into the adverse health implications of heavy metals released from CVs through animal and human studies.”
NORML has previously cautioned that various components in portable vape cartridges – including heating coils, wicks, metal cores, and mouthpieces – can be sources of elemental emissions.
Separate analyses of the aerosol produced by nicotine-filled e-cigarette devices have similarly detected metal emissions. Metal exposure over time has been linked to a variety of serious health concerns, including lung disease, brain damage, and cardiovascular disease.
Full text of the study, “Heavy metals in cannabis vape and their health implications — A scoping review,” appears in The Scientific World Journal.