LANSING, Mich. (July 7, 2022) — Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) introduced legislation that will protect Michiganians from toxic metals they inhale while using a tobacco, or marijuana, vape.
Senate Bills 1108, 1109, and 1110 will prohibit the sale of vape heating elements unless it is made of, or encased in, glass and/or ceramic. The most commonly used heating element is made of metal. As these metal heating elements are repeatedly heated, and then cool off, the metal starts to break down and leach toxic metals into the vapor produced.
The metals found in the vapor inhaled by consumers are aluminum, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium, nickel, silicon, tin, and zinc — all toxic, and that cause severe adverse health effects when inhaled. These toxic metals have been linked to nasal cavity damage, cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, kidney dysfunction, nervous system disorders, skin lesions, vascular damage, immune system dysfunction, birth defects, respiratory distress, and lung cancer.
“I’m against cancer and in favor of regulations that protect consumers against needless harm. Right now, there are people vaping all over Michigan who have no idea they are inhaling toxic metals,” Sen. Irwin said. “Consumers need to know that vaping can lead to health consequences from heavy metals and that this additional harm can be prevented by using higher-quality equipment. This legislation protects people’s health now, and in the future.”
Electronic smoking devices (vapes) use a metal coil to heat a nicotine solution (or a solution containing cannabis oil), generating a vapor. Several studies show that total metal levels rise after the liquid is heated, supporting the idea that it is the heating process that releases the metals. Further, the metal levels in the vapor that users inhale are higher than those in the liquids.
“We already know vaping isn’t ‘healthy,’ but we can’t bury our heads in the sand and do nothing about this emerging threat,” Sen. Irwin said. “As these metals build up, they cause all sorts of terrible health effects. But there are better vaping products available that protect consumers against toxic metals leeching into their vape liquid.”
In 2018, 6.1% of adults in Michigan reported using e-cigarettes or other electronic vaping products at least once in their lifetime and now use them daily, or on some days. This is higher than the 2020 national average of 5.2%. It’s estimated that about 1 in 9 high schoolers vape every day. According to a 2017-18 survey of almost 130,000 Michigan teenagers, about 30% of 11th-graders, 20% of ninth-graders and 7% of seventh-graders used e-cigarettes in the past month.
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