Vaping continues to grow in popularity around the world as an alternative form of nicotine intake that still satiates the need to inhale clouds of something for traditional smokers but has a range of tasty flavors that go beyond conventional tobacco to appeal to younger users.

Due to the rise in popularity, vapes and the components that make them are now under more scrutiny to make sure they are as safe as they can be for a growing number of users. Here, we look at whether lead is present in vapes and its potential health risks. 

What is Lead and Why is it Harmful?

Lead is a heavy metal found in the earth’s crust. In the past, lead was used in everything from paint to pipes and even children’s toys. However, as far back as the 19th century, there were signs that lead was a toxic metal when children working in factories with lead suffered from developmental delays, seizures, and even death.

It wasn’t until the 1970s that a ban on lead in paint and gas came into effect. Children and pregnant women are the most at risk because developing brains absorb more lead. Historically, how children crawled around on the floor could lead to more exposure to lead found in soil or dust from paint. 

How Lead Might End Up in Vapes

So, how does this widely criticized and banned metal link to vapes? Well, the short answer is that vapes need metal to work. The coil, or heating element, inside the vape, is a conductor heated up to a high enough temperature by the battery component to turn the e-liquid into a vapor for inhalation.

This coil may contain small amounts of leach lead that has leached into the metal used in coils, which is most often Nichrome or Kanthal. When the leach lead on the coil is heated to a high enough temperature, the user may inadvertently inhale lead particles that are released. 

Don’t throw away your vape just yet! Lead in vapes is only a problem with low-quality or unregulated vapes, so always buy vapes with plenty of reviews that use quality materials like Vessel. 

Research on Lead in Vaping Products

One2025 study found that “E-cigarette users exhibited significantly higher serum concentrations of heavy metals than non-smokers.

Lead levels were 10.0 % higher (exponentiated β = 1.100; p < 0.001), mercury levels were 13.7 % higher (β = 1.137; p < 0.001), and cadmium levels were 61.4 % higher (β = 1.614; p < 0.001). Conventional smokers demonstrated elevated levels of these metals compared to non-smokers, but generally lower levels than e-cigarette users.” 

However, anotherstudy found that “Blood lead levels, and urinary cadmium, barium, and antimony levels were similar between participants who used e-cigarettes and participants who did not.” 

Researchers revealing preliminary results from the NIEHS-funded EMIT study entitledE-cigarettes expose users to toxic metals such as arsenic, lead were surprised to find “toxic metals, such as arsenic and lead, in the liquid even before it came into contact with the metallic coil.”

While the jury is still out on how much of a threat lead is in vapes, the evidence we do have at this point suggests that cheap e-liquid, along with cheap coils, may be dangerous. 

Factors that Contribute to Lead Presence in Vapes

There are a number of reasons why vapes may contain lead. Here are the most common:

• Low-quality vape manufacturers usually cut corners when sourcing materials, leading to low-quality metals being used in the coils and other ingredients finding their way into vape liquids. 

• The same manufacturers may also use outdated equipment that could leach metal into vape coils. 

• Low-quality vapes also tend to overheat more. When vapes overheat, toxic vapor and metal contamination are more likely. 

• The lack of vaping regulation in some countries may make this issue more prevalent.
  

What You Can Do to Minimize Risk

The best way to avoid inhaling toxic vapor is to buy reputable and regulated brands and to prevent counterfeit or unregulated products that are more likely to be contaminated.

If you’re worried about your vape, you can always take it apart and examine the coil for wear and tear. Coils that are blackened or discolored could be due to residue or buildup. Keep an eye out for corrosion on the metal, too. 

It’s essential to keep your vape clean and maintained. For a deep clean, take your vape’s components apart and clean them separately; just let them dry before putting them back together.

If you’re worried about a damaged coil or suspect it may contain harmful materials, switch it out for a new one. Reputable brands will provide product certifications and safety lab results. 

Regulatory Oversight and Industry Standards

Vapes are regulated in many countries by governing bodies like the FDA in the U.S. These regulations include nicotine amounts in countries like the U.S., U.K., and Australia.

While countries in the EU, the U.S., and the U.K. require toxicology testing and ingredient submission, products can still be imported illegally that may be available to people for purchase from vape shops that are trying to find cheaper products to sell.

Better regulations must be put in place to prevent lead and other toxic metals from being inhaled by people who vape. 

Conclusion

The heating elements of cheap vapes may contain small amounts of lead. Manufacturers who want to make things for the lowest price cut corners on regulations and use low-quality metals that may contain trace amounts of lead.

The issue with lead in heating elements is that it may be inhaled when heated to a high enough temperature. There is a need for more research into the subject, consumer education on avoiding low-quality vapes, and better regulation surrounding the import of vapes. Remember, always choose quality products like Vessel and avoid cheap products.