Tests have found vapes sold in Queensland contain heavy metals which are “toxic to reproduction” and may “cause neurological anomalies”.
The state government’s Health and Environment Committee tested 17 e-liquid samples from vapes available on the market.
“Lab tests were performed for the presence of nicotine plus other substances including carbonyl compounds, volatile organic compounds, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides and heavy metals,” a Queensland government statement said.
All samples contained nicotine, formaldehyde (a group 1 human carcinogen), acetaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, arsenic and zinc.
Other toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, nickel, chromium, antimony, aluminium, iron, nickel, barium, manganese, copper, strontium and vanadium were found in some samples.
Some of those heavy metals are known to be ”carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction and development and cause neurological anomalies”.
It is illegal to buy vapes containing nicotine in Australia under federal law.
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Only vapes prescribed by healthcare professionals are legal.
“I asked the Health and Environment Committee to look at this issue and these results are staggering,” Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
“There are people who might think vaping is safer than smoking or, indeed, harmless.
“These test results should make those people think again.”
Last week the Queensland government passed a bill to strengthen laws on smoking and vaping, including laws for anyone selling illegal tobacco products.
Announced by federal Health Minister Mark Butler on May 2, the crackdown will see recreational vaping outlawed, the importation of non-pharmaceutical vapes outlawed, and tight restrictions on the flavours and packaging of the products.
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