# Study reveals focal toxic metal accumulation in murine lungs exposed to e-cigarette aerosol

- Published: 2026-11-07 21:51 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Medicine
- Tags: e-cigarette aerosol metals, murine lung metal accumulation, organometallic species vaping, vaping pulmonary toxicity
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-f779a2dd92d9dc701a314d52_study_reveals_focal/

**Researchers identified organometallic species in vape aerosol and observed heterogeneous metal hotspots in mouse lungs.**

![Study reveals focal toxic metal accumulation in murine lungs exposed to e-cigarette aerosol](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/7133ef2d1a01b15d.webp)
*Newsmonkey*

Scientists have characterized the chemical composition of refillable e-cigarette liquids and their aerosols, revealing the presence of toxic metals and organometallic compounds that accumulate irregularly in pulmonary tissue [1]. The findings were published in the journal Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry [1]. In an experimental model, 7-week-old Balb/c mice (n = 8 per group) were exposed to nicotine-containing aerosol (8, 16, or 32 puffs; 30 minutes, twice daily for 4 days) or ambient air to assess short-term tissue deposition.

## Detection of organometallic compounds

Using an analytical platform that integrated ICP-MS, GC-ICP-MS, GC-MS, and LA-ICP-MS/MS, researchers identified multiple toxic metals and previously undocumented organometallic species in both the formulation and its emitted vapor [1]. The identified chemical elements included aluminium, nickel, copper, arsenic, bromine, tin, and mercury [1]. The authors reported that these organic variants of metals can penetrate biological cell membranes more readily than pure mineral forms, facilitating tissue retention.

## Heterogeneous accumulation in lung tissue

Elemental bioimaging of the treated murine lungs demonstrated focal deposition patterns rather than a uniform dispersion [1]. In exposed groups, pulmonary tissue exhibited increased copper, significantly elevated levels of nickel and lead, and a statistically significant reduction in iron concentrations (p ≤ 0.005) [1]. Data showed that lead concentrations in the highest exposure group were 25 times higher than in controls, tin increased over 15-fold, and nickel levels rose nearly fivefold even at the lowest puff regimen.

Conversely, pulmonary iron levels fell by roughly 84 percent in exposed subjects [1]. Metal distribution patterns correlated with exposure but did not follow a strictly dose-dependent trend, suggesting complex biological deposition and clearance mechanisms [1]. Measured metal levels in the liquids exceeded established inhalation pharmaceutical guidelines, with arsenic surpassing thresholds by 480 times, nickel by 250 times, and mercury by 180 times.

## Sources

1. [Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-026-06487-1)
2. [Newsmonkey](https://newsmonkey.be/e-sigaretten-zorgen-voor-hotspots-van-giftige-metalen-in-de-longen-blijkt-uit-onderzoek)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-f779a2dd92d9dc701a314d52_study_reveals_focal/