麻豆影视

Health

    • Teen vaping linked with toxic lead exposure, study finds

    Vaping has been associated with a higher risk of exposure to toxic metals, a new study has found. (yehor / iStockphoto / Getty Images via CNN Newsource) Vaping has been associated with a higher risk of exposure to toxic metals, a new study has found. (yehor / iStockphoto / Getty Images via CNN Newsource)
    Share

    Vaping has been known for its association with respiratory disease and nicotine addiction. Now, a new study, building upon previous evidence, has found that among teens, vaping often may spike the risk of exposure to lead and uranium 鈥 potentially harming brain and organ development in young people.

    鈥淭his study analyzed a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescent e-cigarette use to examine whether urine metal levels (i.e., cadmium, lead and uranium) differed by vaping frequency and flavor types,鈥 said Dr. Hongying Daisy Dai, senior author of the study published Monday in the journal Tobacco Control, via email.

    Vaping has slightly declined among teens. The use of e-cigarettes among high schoolers decreased from 14.1 per cent to 10 per cent from 2022 to 2023, the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey found. But for this group, the behavior has remained a public health concern and the most popular form of consuming tobacco (in the form of nicotine) since 2014, Dai said.

    As of December 2023, only 23 tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products are authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for sale in the United States, after the agency effectively banned all flavors of cartridge-based vape pens except menthol and tobacco to prevent young people from vaping. The ban, however, does not include disposable e-cigarettes or their respective e-liquids, which come in a variety of flavors.

    Dai and coauthors found that among teens who vaped intermittently 鈥 for six to 19 days total out of the past 30 days 鈥 urine lead levels were 40 per cent higher compared with occasional vapers, defined as one to five days out of the past month. For those who vaped frequently 鈥 20 days or more 鈥 levels were 30 per cent higher. And e-cigarette users who preferred sweet flavors had higher levels of uranium in their urine than those who favored menthol or mint flavor, said Dai, a professor in the department of biostatistics at University of Nebraska Medical Center.

    Nearly 90 per cent of youth who vape use flavored e-cigarettes, according to the U.S. National Youth Tobacco Survey.

    Given that e-cigarette aerosol is known to contain various potentially harmful compounds including metals, Dai wasn鈥檛 surprised by the findings, she said.

    However, chronic exposure to metals, 鈥渆ven at low levels, can lead to detrimental health impacts, affecting cardiovascular, renal, cognitive and psychiatric functions,鈥 she added.

    The study was conducted at one point in time, so the authors couldn鈥檛 control for chronic or long-term exposure. But 鈥渘o form of tobacco consumption is safe for young individuals,鈥 Dai said. 鈥淧arents should be aware of the harmfulness of e-cigarette use and advise their children to quit vaping.鈥

    The study鈥檚 findings are based on the responses and biospecimen samples of 200 teens involved in the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health, or PATH, Youth Study from December 2018 to November 2019.

    Vaping and health harms

    Expert opinions on the findings are mixed.

    鈥淭his is a well-conducted study underscoring the need to carefully monitor exposure in e-cigarette users and highlights the fact that e-cigarettes are not risk free,鈥 said Dr. Lion Shahab, professor of health psychology at University College London and codirector of the UCL Tobacco and Alcohol Research Group, in a news release.

    鈥淗owever, these findings also need to be seen in context,鈥 Shahab, who wasn鈥檛 involved in the study, added. 鈥淯ranium specifically has many different important sources of exposure (including food, water connected to geographic location), which were not controlled for in this analysis. Further, previous work has not found differences in uranium exposure between non-users and users of e-cigarettes nor detected uranium in e-cigarette aerosol, suggesting this finding may be explained by other factors.鈥

    Lead, however, has been detected in e-cigarette aerosol in previous research, Shahab added. Yet the urine levels reported in this study, even in frequent vapers, are below or similar to those found in the general population and in adults who don鈥檛 vape.

    鈥淣onetheless, it is important to note that no level of lead exposure is safe,鈥 Shahab said.

    The authors acknowledged that their study is observational, meaning it didn鈥檛 find a causal relationship between vaping and toxic metal levels.

    But the authors think the metals鈥 presence in participants鈥 urine may be related to how e-cigarettes work.

    鈥淓-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that generate aerosols by heating a liquid solution with a metal coil,鈥 Dai said. 鈥淭his heating process might result in the release of metal particles into the liquid inhaled by e-cigarette users.鈥

    Teens choose sweet flavors over others since the former can suppress the harsh effects of nicotine, enhancing its reward effects, Dai said. But knowing why this preference led to higher uranium exposure requires more research. A 2021 study, however, did find ethyl maltol, an artificial sweetener used in some vaping liquids that has the flavor of cotton candy, can help transport heavy metals to cells and, when in the presence of copper, could cause cells lining the lungs to die.

    And 鈥済iven that heavy metal exposure is mostly driven by the type of device used,鈥 Shahab said, 鈥渇uture studies should investigate whether there are any meaningful differences between different e-cigarette types to inform regulators, e.g., to curtail use of devices that expose users to more heavy metals.鈥

    If you want to stop vaping, or if you鈥檙e a parent or guardian who wants to help your teen stop vaping, there are steps you can take today.

    Knowing one鈥檚 personal reasons for quitting may help you make choices conducive to your goal more than simply knowing about the health harms can. Setting a quit date can aid you in mentally preparing for any challenges. Working with a therapist can help you identify what your triggers and challenges might be, and you can even make a personal quit plan based on your daily life.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

    Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

    The union representing some 1,200 dockworkers at the Port of Montreal has overwhelmingly rejected a deal with their employers association.

    A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province鈥檚 police watchdog.

    opinion

    opinion How to transition from renting to owning a home in Canada

    In his column for CTVNews.ca, personal finance contributor Christopher Liew offers a step-by-step guide on how to make the shift from renting to becoming a homeowner, and what you can start doing today to help the process go smoother.

    Canada

    World

    Politics

    • Murray Sinclair鈥檚 family members say the late justice and senator has been laid to rest according to his wishes.

    • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale鈥擫angley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.

    Health

    • Why brain aging can vary dramatically between people

      Researchers are uncovering deeper insights into how the human brain ages and what factors may be tied to healthier cognitive aging, including exercising, avoiding tobacco, speaking a second language or even playing a musical instrument.

    • Researchers say taking a peek inside a person's brain is as difficult as understanding the universe or discovering the ocean in its entirety.

    Sci-Tech

    Entertainment

    Business

    Lifestyle

    Sports

    Autos

    Local Spotlight

    For the second year in a row, the 鈥楪ift-a-Family鈥 campaign is hoping to make the holidays happier for children and families in need throughout Barrie.

    Some of the most prolific photographers behind CTV Skywatch Pics of the Day use the medium for fun, therapy, and connection.

    A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.

    As Connor Nijsse prepared to remove some old drywall during his garage renovation, he feared the worst.

    A group of women in Chester, N.S., has been busy on the weekends making quilts 鈥 not for themselves, but for those in need.

    A Vancouver artist whose streetside singing led to a chance encounter with one of the world's biggest musicians is encouraging aspiring performers to try their hand at busking.

    Ten-thousand hand-knit poppies were taken from the Sanctuary Arts Centre and displayed on the fence surrounding the Dartmouth Cenotaph on Monday.

    A Vancouver man is saying goodbye to his nine-to-five and embarking on a road trip from the Canadian Arctic to Antarctica.

    • Weather watchers were treated to an exceptionally rare display on Friday evening as rare cloud formations filled Vancouver skies.

    • For some shoppers it was Nov. 1, but for others the first hints of Christmas - saccharine treats, festive-fragranced candles and gaudily wrapped gift sets - were being noticed in stores long before the final Halloween decor had been cleared.

    • Thousands of people are expected to gather in downtown Vancouver on Monday to observe the city鈥檚 100th Remembrance Day ceremony.

    • Toronto is expected to see an economic boost to the tune of nearly $300 million thanks to Taylor Swift鈥檚 upcoming Eras Tour, which will be making a stop in Canada鈥檚 largest city for a six-show run later this month.

    • One man was transported to hospital early Monday morning after a stabbing in the northwest end of the city, Toronto police say.

    • A man who was critically injured in a police-involved shooting in Hamilton late Sunday afternoon has died in hospital, says the province鈥檚 police watchdog.

    • A pair of 105-mm howitzers bark constantly as they turn plywood tank targets into kindling kilometres away on the windswept landscape of one of Canada's largest military bases.

    • Two semis were among the vehicles involved in a multi-vehicle crash that brought westbound traffic along Stoney Trail Northwest to a standstill on Sunday.

    • More than 700 people danced, ate, and sang to celebrate Diwali Saturday night at the Genesis Centre in northeast Calgary.

    • NEW THIS MORNING

      NEW THIS MORNING

      An Ottawa boy with a rare disease will be getting the chance to see Taylor Swift in concert after the winner and organizers of an auction held on his behalf gifted the tickets to him.

    • CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa.

    • After months of controversy surrounding a dog park in Ottawa's west end, a solution has been reached to divide the park in half.

    • A First Nation near Quebec City says the provincial government and Quebec鈥檚 hydro utility have ignored their constitutional duty to consult about four planned wind projects south of the Saint Lawrence River.

    • An elementary school in Greenfield Park on Montreal鈥檚 South Shore is closed after it was the target of an alleged arson attack.

    • Two vehicles were set on fire in Montreal鈥檚 east end Riviere-des-Prairies neighbourhood.

    • Monday is Remembrance Day, a time to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.

    • Boasting 2,300 square metres of skating space at its new location, Edmonton's Rollers Roller Rink believes it is the largest in Canada.

    • A woman is dead after a driver crashed a truck through a Boston Pizza in Fort McMurray late Saturday morning.

    • A pillar in Canada鈥檚 history was honoured in Winnipeg Sunday afternoon, with thousands showing up to pay tribute to the life and legacy of the late Murray Sinclair.

    • Winnipeg police have identified two men involved in a stabbing incident earlier this week.

    • The Winnipeg Blue Bombers whipped the Saskatchewan Roughriders 38-22 in Saturday's CFL West Division final to earn their fifth consecutive trip to the Grey Cup.

    • Regina author Valerie Crowther is celebrating the release of her book 鈥榃ar Letters: Linking Lives in the Second World War.鈥

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • Twilight Tech Arcade, an entertainment location specializing in retro gaming, is closing its doors for the foreseeable future.

    • A man has been charged after a stabbing at an apartment building in Kitchener.

    • The Guelph Police Service is putting out a warning after two deaths in the downtown area.

    • Two new tributes to Canada鈥檚 veterans have been unveiled at the Elmira Cenotaph.

    • Saskatchewan RCMP are searching for a suspect after a man was seriously injured in a farm-related incident in Montreal Lake.

    • It was a somber day at Mosaic Stadium as members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders officially cleaned out their stalls and closed the book on the 2024 season.

    • The Regina Rams claimed the Hardy Cup after a hard fought battle against the Saskatoon Huskies 19-14 on Saturday in the first all Saskatchewan U-Sports western conference final since 2002.

    • CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca is livestreaming the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Sudbury Community Arena starting Monday at 10:30 a.m.

    • Police have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with a break-in and $50,000 in damage done to the Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake in September.

    • Emergency crews responded to the scene on Road 68/Highway 2 east of Thamesford around 7 p.m.

    • On Friday, the Sarnia Police Service (SPS) received a report of an alleged abduction in the area of Kathleen Avenue and Walnut Avenue.

    • The events will start at 10:15 a.m. with a parade that forms up in front of the Delta London Armories, marches east on Dundas Street and turns north onto Waterloo Street to Dufferin Avenue, the west to the Cenotaph.

    • A group of former NHL players faced off against York Regional Police officers in Newmarket Sunday afternoon to raise funds for Special Olympics programs across the province.

    • A driver is facing multiple charges after a multi-vehicle collision on Highway 400 early Sunday morning.

    • The agreed statement of facts was read to the court on Friday in the case of Alex Williams, the 24-year-old jail guard charged last fall with smuggling cannabis and tobacco into Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene.

    • One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) received multiple complaints about an alleged drunk driver.

    • More details have been released about a police investigation at the Ambassador Bridge that connects Windsor, Ont. and Detroit, MI.

    • An individual is dead following a collision involving a motorcycle in Kingsville.

    • Environment Canada says heavy rain and winds could cause power outages on Vancouver Island as an "intense" storm system is set to hit the B.C. coast Sunday.

    • Six deer were struck by vehicles in six different locations in a six-hour period on B.C. highways on Saturday, according to the transportation ministry.

    • The union for locked-out port workers in British Columbia says the BC Maritime Employers Association cut off talks in less than an hour Saturday, refusing to budge on a final offer that the union has so far rejected.

    • The emergency department at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver, B.C., will be closed for 31 hours this weekend, the second such closure in a week and the third since the start of November.

    • Police in Kamloops, B.C., are reminding parents and guardians to check their children's Halloween candy after receiving a report of a mother finding a razor blade in one of her daughter's treats.

    • More than two years after Alannah Brown and Douglas Barker were found dead north of Penticton, police are asking for help identifying a vehicle they believe was associated with the crime.

    • The Southern Alberta Recreation Association is officially announcing the Town of Taber as next year鈥檚 host for the Southern Alberta Summer Games.

    • The Lethbridge Hurricanes broke open a close game with three goals in the first two minutes of the third period as they defeated the Warriors 7-3 in a game played Friday night in Moose Jaw.

    • There might not a lot snow just yet, but many southern Albertans are still itching to get outdoors.

    • Police have arrested a 15-year-old in connection with a break-in and $50,000 in damage done to the Centennial Arena in Elliot Lake in September.

    • Mayors of the five largest cities in northern Ontario met in North Bay the last two days to discuss a range of critical issues impacting their cities and the region.

    • Residents in the Sault expressed concerns ranging from vandalism to privacy invasions during recent consultations on the city's plan to install automated speed enforcement cameras.

    N.L.

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at 麻豆影视. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop.聽Read about us.

    Stay Connected
    Follow 麻豆影视