Vaping: High lead and nickel found in illegal vapes The devices, popular among teens, emit lead, nickel and antimony at concentrations that may exceed cancer and neurological risk thresholds. Disposable vapes: An emerging environmental health threat PHCC With more vapes getting thrown away every year, it's become a growing environmental problem. Vapes contain heavy metals, nicotine, and other chemicals, which leach toxic pollutants into the soil and waterways when