Improper disposal of vape pen batteries may be contributing to water contamination
According to an environmental health researcher from Colorado State University, e-cigarettes contribute to a larger environmental issue: toxic waste from batteries.
There is no legal way to recycle these products
As of 2017, there were 565 types of e-cigarette devices on the market in the US, 184 of which were disposable or single-use, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
E-cigarettes contribute to indoor air pollution and cause indoor air quality to worsen
According to the Annual Review of Public Health Journal, high levels of indoor air pollutants produced by electronic cigarettes call for precautionary measures to protect public health.
Vapes harm our environment in numerous ways
Heavy metals and residual nicotine qualify e-cigarettes as both an e-waste and biohazard.
1. JUUL cartridges, or pods, are single-use plastic products that often get thrown in the trash
2. E-cigarettes, like JUUL, can leak heavy metals and residual nicotine into the environment
3. Many e-cigarettes contain a battery, which often doesn’t get disposed of properly
Secondhand Aerosol Affects more than Just People on Campus
E-cigarette aerosol could expose bystanders to harmful substances including: nicotine, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deeply into the lungs.