Heavy metals and breathing health in young adult e-cigarette users

Examining Heavy Metal Exposure and Respiratory Health in Young Adult Electronic Cigarette Users

This study tests whether young adults who vape have heavy metals in their saliva and whether those metals relate to short-term changes in breathing after a vaping session.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 29 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Columbus, Ohio)
• Trial ID: NCT07215065 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study enrolls 18–29-year-old daily or weekly users of fourth-generation pod-mod or disposable e-cigarettes. Participants provide saliva samples and undergo spirometry before and after a 30-minute ad-lib vaping session and complete questionnaires about vaping behavior. Researchers will quantify heavy metal concentrations in saliva, compare pre- and post-vaping lung function, and analyze associations between vaping intensity and salivary metal levels. No interventions are administered and participants use their own devices during the visit.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Healthy 18–29-year-olds who are established daily or weekly users of fourth-generation pod-mod or disposable e-cigarettes and can abstain from nicotine and food/drink before the visit are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, attempting to quit vaping, recently COVID-19 positive or hospitalized for COVID-19, infrequent or non-users of fourth-generation e-cigarettes, or unable to follow pre-visit restrictions are unlikely to receive benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the results could clarify short-term metal exposure and breathing effects from vaping, helping users and clinicians make safer choices and informing public health messaging.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work has detected heavy metals in e-cigarette aerosols and some body fluids, but direct pre/post vaping links to short-term lung function changes remain less well established.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 18-29 years
* Established electronic cigarette (EC) user (participant uses ECs on a daily/weekly basis \[used on ≥ 5 days in past 30-days\] for the past 3 months)
* Willing to abstain from nicotine for at least 12 hours before the laboratory visit
* Willing to not eat food or drink water/beverages for at least 30 minutes before the laboratory visit \[required for salivary collection\]
* Utilize 4th generation EC products (pod-mod or disposable EC products; e.g., JUUL, Hyde)
* Must be able to read and write in English

Exclusion Criteria:

* Recently COVID-19+ (defined as a positive test in the past 30 days) or a recent COVID-19 hospitalization (within the past 6 months)
* Attempting to quit the use of ECs
* Is pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant and/or breastfeeding \[will be verified using a urine pregnancy test\]
* Self-reported severe or significant psychological and/or psychiatric conditions \[e.g., not currently receiving treatment/medication; only past and/or stable conditions will be allowed\]
* A history of cardiac events and/or distress within the past 3 months
* Diagnosed with a chronic, serious lung disease or current infection (e.g., pneumonia, pulmonary edema)
* Are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a severe motor disability

Where this trial is running

Columbus, Ohio

• Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center — Columbus, Ohio, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Alayna P Tackett, PhD — Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
• Study coordinator: The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Conditions: Heavy Metal Exposure From Vaping