Vaping cartridges, commonly referred to as “carts,” are self-contained systems that hold concentrated liquid for electronic delivery devices. These liquids are aerosolized and inhaled, typically containing active ingredients such as nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or cannabidiol (CBD). The use of these products, particularly among younger populations, has raised concerns about their safety profile. These concerns center on the chemicals users introduce into their lungs and the potential for both immediate and long-term health consequences. Understanding the chemical composition of the aerosol and its impact on the human body is essential to assessing the risks.
What Vaping Cartridges Contain
The liquid found inside a vape cartridge is a complex mixture of chemical components. The foundational ingredients are usually humectants like Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG). These solvents carry the active ingredients and produce the visible vapor, but the effects of inhaling large amounts of these substances are not fully understood.
Flavoring agents are a major component, using hundreds of different chemicals to mimic tastes like fruit or dessert. Certain flavorings, such as diacetyl, have been linked to severe respiratory diseases when inhaled. These compounds can further change when the liquid is heated.
The hardware of the cartridge introduces additional risks, particularly the heating coil that aerosolizes the liquid. When the e-liquid contacts the coil, tiny particles of metal, such as nickel, tin, or lead, can leach into the aerosol. Inhaling these heavy metals introduces toxins into the lungs and bloodstream.
Acute Health Impacts on the Body
Inhaling the aerosolized contents of vaping carts causes immediate physiological changes, primarily affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In the lungs, the solvents, flavorings, and ultrafine particles trigger irritation and an inflammatory response. This can lead to increased airway reactivity and obstruction, which may manifest as coughing or wheezing, even in users without a history of lung issues.
The heating process itself is a major mechanism of injury because it chemically degrades the base liquids. When Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin are heated to high temperatures, they break down to form toxic carbonyl compounds, including formaldehyde and acrolein. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, and acrolein is a severe respiratory irritant that can cause acute lung injury. This breakdown is particularly pronounced in devices used at higher power settings.
For cartridges containing nicotine, the effects on the heart are acute and resemble those of traditional tobacco use. Nicotine is a stimulant that causes an immediate increase in both heart rate and systolic blood pressure. This acute exposure also contributes to increased arterial stiffness and sympathetic nervous system activation, placing additional stress on the cardiovascular system. These changes suggest that even short-term use can negatively affect vascular tone and contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.
The Danger of Unregulated Products
The danger associated with vaping carts stems from products acquired outside of regulated markets. Illicit or black-market cartridges, particularly those containing THC, lack quality control and often contain undisclosed, hazardous additives. This regulatory failure led to E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI).
The primary additive identified as the cause of the EVALI outbreak was Vitamin E Acetate (VEA), an oily compound. Manufacturers of illicit products used VEA as a thickening agent to dilute and stretch the concentrated THC oil. While Vitamin E is safe to use in supplements or skin products, it is highly toxic when aerosolized and inhaled deep into the lungs.
The presence of this oily substance in the lungs causes injury, leading to symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, and severe respiratory failure. Laboratory tests on patients with EVALI found Vitamin E Acetate in the lung fluid of nearly all cases. This finding confirmed the additive’s role in the injury. This highlights the extreme risk of using any vaping product from an informal source.