Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41439698›Full record

ArticleInhalation toxicology2026

The effect of vaping on the human lung microbiota.

Hunter A Welch, Whitney L Spaeth, Meiyi Zhang, Genny Carrillo, Maria D King

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Inhalation toxicology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Hunter A WelchDepartment of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
Whitney L SpaethDepartment of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
Meiyi ZhangDepartment of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
Genny CarrilloDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M University School of Public Health, College Station, Texas, USA.
Maria D KingDepartment of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.

Funding

Mitigation of ventilation-based resuspension and spread of airborne viruses in nosocomial and healthcare settingsR21AI169046 · NIAID · TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE RESEARCH · PI KING, MARIA DOBOZI · 2023 to 2024
$400k
NIAID NIH HHS R21 AI169046
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveVaping's perception as a safe method of nicotine consumption has contributed to its widespread use among American youth. Research indicates that serious lung disease termed EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury) can develop from vaping. However, the broader consequences on lung health remain less understood.

methodsWe evaluated the effects of vaping on college students' lungs using fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) scores, metal concentrations, and microbiota composition collected over three months. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Mass spectrometry analysis of vape coils revealed that ceramic coils contained higher levels of metals Mg, Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, As, Sr, Ag, and Ti, while mesh coils had elevated concentrations of Cu, Cd, Pb, and Sn. Corresponding metals were detected in participants' exhaled breath, with vaping status and coil type significantly influencing heavy metal profiles, and FeNO contributing among vapers. FeNO levels positively correlated with vaping duration, indicating effects on airway inflammation. Analysis of exhaled microbiota showed that temporal variation (sampling month) and, among vapers, duration of vaping had stronger influences on microbial composition than vaping status or coil type, while FeNO had minimal impact. Specific metals, including Al, Fe, Co, Zn, and Zr, were modestly associated with microbial patterns, with Zn and Fe showing the strongest effects.

conclusionsThese findings identified three interconnected effects of vaping: lung inflammation, heavy metal exposure from heating coils, and changes in lung microbiota. This highlights the need for further research to clarify the mechanisms linking these outcomes.

Indexed as

LungMicrobiotaVapingAdolescentAdultBreath TestsElectronic Nicotine Delivery SystemsFemaleHumansMaleMetals, HeavyNitric OxideYoung AdultMetals, HeavyNitric Oxide16S rRNAe-cigaretteFeNOheavy metalsICP-MSlungmicrobiotaVaping

Identifiers

PMID41439698
PMCPMC12970562

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.