Does Smoking or E-Cigarette Use Cause Heavy Metal Accumulation in the Body? What Are the Disease Risks and Prevention Methods?

E-cigarettes are electronic devices designed to mimic smoking without conventional combustion. Instead, they use electrical current from a battery to power a coil, heating the e-liquid contained in a tank. E-liquids consist of various chemical substances such as nicotine, glycerin, propylene glycol, and flavorings. When the e-liquid is heated, it vaporizes into an aerosol (vapor) for users to inhale, instead of inhaling smoke from combustion like conventional cigarettes.

Although e-cigarettes do not involve combustion like conventional cigarettes, their internal heating systems can still release toxic substances, particularly heavy metals that may break off from the coil or other metal components degraded by repeated use. These substances turn into aerosols and are inhaled into the body through the lungs. According to a study led by a research team from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in collaboration with other research institutions, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives (2018) (1), the aerosol from several e-cigarette models (especially tank-style devices that users refill themselves) was contaminated with heavy metals such as lead, nickel, chromium, zinc, and manganese at levels that could pose health risks. This aligns with a 2020 study from Columbia University, USA (2), which reported detecting metals and various heavy metal elements in e-liquids and vapor from vaping, such as aluminum, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, and zinc. These heavy metals can enter the body through the respiratory system and accumulate in the bloodstream or various organs.

At the same time, research indicates that several heavy metals are also found in conventional cigarettes, particularly cadmium and lead, which may originate from tobacco plant cultivation as well as manufacturing and processing stages. According to a 2012 study on heavy metal levels ( Cadmium, Cd and Lead, Pb) in tobacco of popular brands in Saudi Arabia (3), smokers may receive approximately 0.22-0.78 micrograms of cadmium and 0.97-2.64 micrograms of lead per pack (20 cigarettes) through the inhalation of cigarette smoke vapor, leading to accumulation in the body.

Heavy metals found in conventional cigarettes or e-cigarettes can affect multiple bodily systems as follows:

• Nervous System: Increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia in adults. Especially in young children whose brains are still developing, it may cause developmental delays or affect IQ in the long term. Additionally, it may cause Parkinson's disease, resulting in muscle spasms and slower movement.
• Respiratory System: When the body is continuously exposed to heavy metals through the respiratory system over a long period, it triggers irritation in the respiratory mucosa, causing chronic inflammation in the lungs and increasing the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer and lung cancer.
• Liver and Kidneys: The liver has to work harder to eliminate toxins or heavy metals from the body, while some kidney tissues may be damaged, increasing the risk of chronic kidney failure or kidney degeneration.
• Cardiovascular System: Heavy metals stimulate chronic inflammation within blood vessels, leading to arterial hardening, high blood pressure, increased cardiac workload, and an increased risk of an acute myocardial infarction (Heart Attack), which can be fatal.
• Immune System: Results in a weakened body, making it susceptible to infections, slow to recover, or potentially causing autoimmune diseases.
• Reproductive System and Pregnancy: Causes infertility, affects fetal development, and increases the risk of miscarriage or premature birth.

• Completely avoid smoking or vaping, and avoid areas with potential heavy metal contamination, such as areas near industrial factories, waste incinerators, heavy traffic zones, pubs, bars, or being close to regular smokers.
• Drink enough clean water daily to help the kidneys efficiently flush waste out of the body.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in antioxidants to help reduce inflammation in the body, such as dark green leafy vegetables, berries, tree nuts and seeds, garlic, ginger, and turmeric.
• Supplement with certain minerals, such as zinc, selenium, calcium, and iron, which help reduce the absorption of heavy metals.
• Routinely undergo health check-ups and assess heavy metal levels in the body, especially for those in high-risk groups, such as having people around who smoke or vape, living near factories, industrial zones, or areas with potential environmental contamination.

• Heavy Metal Testing uses blood, urine, hair, or nail samples to analyze whether heavy metal levels exceed standard limits. If heavy metal levels are found to be higher than standard limits, doctors may recommend appropriate bodily restoration guidelines tailored to each individual's health condition and issues, such as Chelation Therapy or EBOO Therapy as a next step.
• Chelation Therapy is the removal of accumulated heavy metals in the body using chelating agents (Chelating Agents) such as EDTA, DMSA, or DMPS. These agents have the property of binding with heavy metals or certain minerals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, etc., to form water-soluble compounds, or chelates, which can be excreted from the body through urine or feces. This method is the medical standard for treating acute heavy metal poisoning and can be administered in two forms: intravenous (IV) infusion and oral intake, depending on the type of metal found and the severity of the problem.

However, Chelation Therapy is suitable only for individuals who have been clearly diagnosed with heavy metal levels exceeding standard limits. Currently, there is no medical endorsement for its use in general detoxification or chronic disease prevention where it may not be necessary. Special caution must be exercised in patients with liver, kidney, or heart conditions, or those with G-6-PD enzyme deficiency.

• EBOO Therapy utilizing the EBOO PLUS technique is a process of filtering blood and removing heavy metals as well as residual toxins. Blood is drawn from the body to be cleansed through a sterile filter, then low-concentration ozone is added to the blood before it is slowly returned to the body through a vein in a closed system from start to finish. The primary goal is to balance the vascular system and help reduce chronic inflammation caused by accumulated toxins and heavy metals in the body. The ozone (O3) used in this procedure reacts with various heavy metals, making them easier to be eliminated from the body, and this property helps reduce heavy metal levels.

In addition, EBOO Therapy is a treatment that effectively helps boost cellular energy, promoting freshness, reducing chronic fatigue, and restoring internal balance. It is suitable for individuals with underlying medical conditions, those with heavy metal levels exceeding standards, as well as general individuals seeking preventive healthcare. Each session takes approximately 45-60 minutes, and patients can return to their daily activities as normal without requiring downtime.

However, one should consider receiving heavy metal removal services at standard medical facilities that are fully equipped and operated by highly experienced medical teams, as these processes are complex and require personalized treatment planning tailored to each individual's health condition for optimal results and safety.