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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07215065

Examining Heavy Metal Exposure and Respiratory Health in Young Adult Electronic Cigarette Users

This study investigates heavy metal exposure in young adults who use electronic cigarettes.

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Key information

Conditions

Heavy Metal Exposure From Vaping

Age range

18 year–29 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States

About this study

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Identify and quantify heavy metals (HM) concentration in the saliva of e-cigarette users.

II. Examine changes in pulmonary functioning and HM concentration pre/post vaping.

III. Examine the association between vaping intensity and HM concentration in the saliva of e-cigarette users.

OUTLINE: This is an observational study.

Participants vape their own electronic cigarette device as much or as little as they like over 30 minutes on study. Participants also undergo saliva sample collection, spirometry to measure respiratory function, and complete questionnaires.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 18-29 years
  • Established electronic cigarette (EC) user (participant uses ECs on a daily/weekly basis [used on ≥ 5 days in past 30-days] for the past 3 months)
  • Willing to abstain from nicotine for at least 12 hours before the laboratory visit
  • Willing to not eat food or drink water/beverages for at least 30 minutes before the laboratory visit [required for salivary collection]
  • Utilize 4th generation EC products (pod-mod or disposable EC products; e.g., JUUL, Hyde)
  • Must be able to read and write in English

Exclusion criteria

  • Recently COVID-19+ (defined as a positive test in the past 30 days) or a recent COVID-19 hospitalization (within the past 6 months)
  • Attempting to quit the use of ECs
  • Is pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant and/or breastfeeding [will be verified using a urine pregnancy test]
  • Self-reported severe or significant psychological and/or psychiatric conditions [e.g., not currently receiving treatment/medication; only past and/or stable conditions will be allowed]
  • A history of cardiac events and/or distress within the past 3 months
  • Diagnosed with a chronic, serious lung disease or current infection (e.g., pneumonia, pulmonary edema)
  • Are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a severe motor disability

Treatment and study plan

Non-Interventional Study

Other

Non-Interventional Study

Other names: Non-Interventional Observational Study

Primary outcomes

  1. Heavy metal concentration in the saliva of e-cigarette users

    Time frame: Baseline, Immediately Following Vaping Session

    Identify and quantify HM concentrations in the saliva among all participants in the sample before and after their 30 minute vaping session.

  2. Spirometry to Measure the Change From Baseline in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)

    Time frame: Baseline, Immediately Following Vaping Session

    Participants will complete spirometry (a pulmonary function test) before and immediately after the completion of the 30 minute vaping session.

  3. Spirometry to Measure the Change From Baseline in Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1)

    Time frame: Baseline, Immediately Following Vaping Session

    Participants will complete spirometry (a pulmonary function test) before and immediately after the completion of the 30 minute vaping session.

  4. E-cigarette puffing behavior

    Time frame: Up to 30 minutes

    E-cigarette puffing behavior will be measured with a topography device that records frequency, duration, and flow rate of e-cigarette puffs. These measures are combined to inform the overall measure of e-cigarette puffing behavior.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Oct 10, 2025
Registry last updated
May 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.