A Liverpool-based Inter Scientific Laboratory has reportedly discovered excessive amounts of lead and nickel in 18 different e-cigarettes, according to a BBC report. The lead content was found to be over twice the safe level, while the nickel content was nine times over the safety threshold.
The e-cigarettes, mostly untested and illicit products, were confiscated from students at Baxter Academy. David Lawson, co-founder of Inter Scientific Laboratory, mentioned that in 15 years of testing, he had never detected lead in the devices.
Specifically, in an e-cigarette brand named 'highlighter vapes,' the detected metal levels were 2.4 times the regulated safe exposure level for lead and 9.6 and 6.6 times for nickel and chromium respectively. The lab's tests also found carbonyl compounds in the vape oil, which can break down into harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde when heated, with levels 10 times that in legal e-cigarettes.
UK regulations mandate that all e-cigarettes and e-liquids for sale must be registered with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and manufacturers must comply with ingredients, packaging, and marketing regulations. However, the agency cannot investigate unregistered products. The MHRA and Baxter Academy have expressed concern about the findings and potential health risks.
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