Yorkshire Smokefree Vaping harmless. Chemicals like formaldehyde, arsenic, lead, chromium, and nickel are found in vape aerosol. They damage lungs. They harm developing brains. They raise cancer risks. Protect The dark side of disposable e cigarettes Tobacco and Public Health A toxic, plastic problem: E cigarette waste and the environment Vaping exposes users to toxic metals like lead and uranium, study says