A study led by Dr. Brian Oliver from the University of Technology Sydney in Australia found that thirdhand chemical residue from vape aerosols, both with and without nicotine, harms brain function.
The researchers assigned mice to three groups. For one month, they exposed the first group of mice to towels with thirdhand chemical residue from vape aerosols with nicotine, the second group to towels with thirdhand chemical residue from vape aerosols without nicotine, and the third group to clean towels. Then, the researchers examined nerve cells and cognitive function in each group of mice. The researchers found that mice exposed to towels with either type of chemical residue had inflamed neurons and more neuron damage than non-exposed mice.
They also found that exposure to thirdhand chemical vape residue caused changes in the mice’s brain function. Compared to the other two groups, mice exposed to thirdhand chemical residue from vape aerosols with nicotine were more anxious, and mice exposed to thirdhand chemical residue from vape aerosols without nicotine had worse short-term memory.
These results suggest that nicotine remains harmful but that it is not the only harmful chemical in thirdhand chemical residue from vape aerosols. Other chemicals in vape devices can also harm brain function.
You can protect yourself from these risks by avoiding places where vaping has occurred.
Click here to read the research study.
