Vapes analysed by Qld Health show toxic chemical cocktails

A shocking report has revealed details of the toxic cocktail of chemicals – including arsenic and lead – that Queensland children are inhaling from their lolly-flavoured vapes.

A lab analysis of “lolly” flavoured vapes widely sold in Queensland has revealed they are filled with a toxic cocktail of chemicals including arsenic, formaldehyde and lead.

The tests were ordered by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk after she raised alarm at the availability and popularity of vapes in innocently labelled flavours such as strawberry and watermelon that appeal to children.

The Courier-Mail can reveal the shocking results, contained in a report to the state government, show vapers are inhaling heavy metals such as arsenic, zinc and disturbingly high levels of nicotine.

Queensland Health was tasked by the government with examining the compounds of vapes available over the counter, with all products tested found to illegally include nicotine.

Under current laws, e-cigarettes containing nicotine are only permitted to be sold from a pharmacy with a prescription, but vapes tested contained up to 47,000 milligrams per kilogram.

This means a 5ml e-cigarette would be about the equivalent of six packets of cigarettes, an academic told The Courier-Mail.

Vapers are inhaling heavy metals such as arsenic, zinc and disturbingly high levels of nicotine.

All these brands sourced from a retailer are illegal.

The forensic analysis of the vapes comes after the federal government this month proposed new laws to clamp down on the e-cigarette market.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler hopes stronger regulations will stop the importation of non-prescription vapes and slash the allowed nicotine concentrations.

All 17 samples tested in the Queensland Health study, with innocuously innocent labels such as IGET Bar Strawberry Watermelon Ice and Waka Smash Apple Surge, contained five to 15 heavy metals and various volatile organic compounds – ingredients typically used to manufacture paints, pharmaceuticals and refrigerants.

Other chemicals of concern found in all vapes featured in the study include two carbonyl compounds, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which irritate tissues in the lungs, according to the report.

“Formaldehyde is classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and acetaldehyde is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans,” the assessment of e-liquid composition stated.

Other toxic heavy metals identified include lead, mercury, nickel, chromium, antimony, aluminium, iron, barium, manganese, copper and vanadium.

“A number of these heavy metals are known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction and development, and cause neurological anomalies,” the report found.

Ms Palaszczuk, who directed the Health and Environment Committee to commission the probe, said the findings were “staggering”.

“There are people who might think vaping is safer than smoking or, indeed, harmless,” she said.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said the results were confronting and “make it clear that what is inside them is extremely dangerous”.

The report was further evidence vapes were being sold illicitly, University of Queensland’s Coral Gartner said.

Originally published as Vapes analysed by Qld Health show toxic chemical cocktails