Legal Canadian cannabis vape products contained metal particles from device components in both the liquid and inhaled aerosol, including cobalt, chromium, nickel, lead, and zinc.
Cannabis vapers; regulators; vape device manufacturers; public health officials.
All aerosol samples contained cobalt, chromium, nickel, lead, tin, and zinc particles
What the researchers found
Legal Canadian cannabis vape liquids contained metal particles (Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Sn, Zn) originating from device components. All aerosols contained Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn. SEM showed cracking on unused device connector pins.
Why it matters
Even regulated products expose users to metals from hardware. Vaping device standards may need as much attention as cannabis quality standards.
The numbers in context
Six products tested. All aerosols contained Co, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sn, Zn particles. Device metals matched detected particles. Cracking on unused device connectors observed.
How the study worked
Total metals analysis and single-particle ICP-MS on six legal Canadian cannabis vape products. Aerosol analysis via vaping machine. SEM-EDS on emptied cartridges.
What this study cannot tell us
Small product sample. Legal Canadian products only. Particle counts below LOQ. Long-term health effects unknown.
How to read the evidence
Rigorous analytical chemistry with source identification, limited product sample.
When this study was published
2025 study
The bigger picture
The EVALI crisis focused on illicit products, but this shows legal products also have inhalation risks from hardware components.
Questions still open
- What are long-term effects of inhaling these metals? Should vaping devices be regulated as medical devices? Are certain designs safer?
Common questions
Are legal cannabis vape products safe?
Where do the metals come from?
Read the original research
Tracking metal presence in cannabis vaping products from source to inhalation.
Scientific reports, 15(1), 31939
Citation
Gajdosechova, Zuzana; Marleau-Gillette, Joshua; Polivchuk, Matthew; Kosarac, Ivana; Katuri, Guru Prasad; Das, Dharani; Cabecinha, Ashley; Waye, Andrew; Abramovici, Hanan. (2025). Tracking metal presence in cannabis vaping products from source to inhalation.. Scientific reports, 15(1), 31939. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-17004-2
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