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Electronic vapes can affect DNA
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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A research project launched at one of the American universities led specialists to an unexpected discovery. It was discovered that electronic vapes can interfere with the DNA system.
Vaping has long been the subject of controversial debate: some experts claim that vaping is explosive, while others claim that vapes emit carcinogenic substances that can worsen the quality of mucous tissues and even lead to the development of cancerous tumors. Thus, vaping has acquired both supporters and opponents. However, the results of a new research project have truly stunned all representatives of science: vaping is capable of destroying the human DNA system.
During the research, the scientists modeled a microfluidic human system. This type of 3D modeling allowed them to visualize the mechanism of the chemical agent's influence on biological polymers. The modeled system was exposed to vapors from an electronic vape. The response was recorded by specific detectors. As the scientists explained, during the research, they used a nicotine-containing liquid and a nicotine-free liquid for electronic smoking.
At the end of the study, it was discovered that chemical agents were dissolved in the liquid, and after certain chemical processes, products were formed that could affect the DNA system.
A similar experiment had already been conducted a little earlier – it was described in detail in Chemical Research in Toxicology. During it, specialists determined that the action of electronic steam is capable of activating genes in the pulmonary system that are not related to oxidative processes. However, it was also discovered that electronic liquid causes less harm than tobacco.
Last year, experts from British American Tobacco found that vapes do not interfere with human DNA, which cannot be said about the destructive smoke of regular cigarettes.
During the research work, the scientists used the analytical method uH2AX, which makes it possible to register double damage to the gene system. Damage to the double-stranded code of genes most often provokes the emergence of cancerous cell structures.
To ensure the chemical process, the scientists used e-liquid with increased levels of nicotine (6 mg per ml), as well as tobacco. They found that the vapor does not destroy DNA, which is not the case with smoking regular tobacco.
This study was not the only one: in 2015, specialists came to completely different conclusions, but they used a nicotine concentration of 100 mg per ml, and the effect on the cells was carried out continuously from 2 days to 2 months.
For now, one thing can be said with certainty: vaping has not been thoroughly researched, and given the radically different research results, it is impossible to guarantee the safety of the method. Perhaps the production of vapes is simply a profit for someone?
Detailed results of the study were published in the scientific journal ACS Sensors.
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