Chemicals released by vaping cannabis
Official title: Emerging Trends in the Chemistry of Cannabis Vaping and Toxicant Emissions
Funded at Portland State University · NIH-11324297 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at which chemicals are produced when people vape concentrated cannabis and how different devices and formulations change those emissions, with special attention to risks for young users.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Portland State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $140,894 |
| NIH project number | 5R16DA061946-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11324297 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who currently vape cannabis concentrates—especially adolescents and young adults who use vaping products—are the most directly relevant group for these findings.
✕Less likely to help
People who never vape or who only use cannabis by smoking, edibles, or other non-vapor methods may not receive direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
If you vape cannabis or are concerned about youth vaping, this project examines what chemicals form when concentrated cannabis oils are heated and turned into an aerosol. Researchers will develop lab methods to capture vapor from different cannabis formulations and vaping devices and chemically analyze the gases and particles produced. They will focus on ketene, a highly reactive gas that can harm the lungs, and on how device settings and ingredients affect toxicant formation. The aim is to identify product features and behaviors that increase harm so clinicians, regulators, and users can make safer choices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify harmful chemicals and device factors that inform safer product rules, clinical advice, and personal choices to reduce lung injury risk from cannabis vaping.
How similar studies have gone: Previous lab work and public health investigations (e.g., EVALI) have linked certain additives to harmful vaping emissions, so this project builds on established findings while testing many newer formulations and devices.
Where this research is happening
-
Portland State University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Strongin, Robert M — Portland State University
- Study coordinator: Strongin, Robert M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Helping Parents Prevent Adolescent Vaping: A Longitudinal Study and Experimental Messages
A study with 12-year-olds’ families aims to understand how parental knowledge and parenting practices influence teens’ nicotine and cannabis vaping, and tests messages to help parents prevent vaping.
-
Investigating the chemicals and toxic emissions from cannabis vaping
This study is looking at how vaping cannabis affects health, especially for young people, by figuring out what harmful chemicals are released when different types of cannabis and vaporizers are used, so we can better understand the safety of these products.
-
Understanding how young adults use nicotine and cannabis together
This study is looking at how young adults who use both nicotine and cannabis through vaping are affected by it in their daily lives, aiming to understand how these substances work together and impact their health and happiness.
-
How local tobacco and cannabis stores affect teen vaping habits
This study looks at how having more tobacco and cannabis shops close to homes and schools affects young people's vaping habits, especially if they live in less advantaged neighborhoods, to help create better policies to reduce vaping among teens.
-
Investigating the effects of vaping nicotine and cannabis in young people
This study is looking at how vaping nicotine and cannabis impacts young people aged 12 to 20, to see if it leads to more smoking or if it’s linked to other challenges they might be facing, with the goal of helping to create better health strategies for them.
-
Hemp-derived CBD for reducing cannabis use in high-THC concentrate users
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial tests whether hemp-derived CBD can help adults who mainly use high-potency cannabis concentrates reduce their cannabis use.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.