The devices, popular among teens, emit lead, nickel and antimony at concentrations that may exceed cancer and neurological risk thresholds. About E Cigarettes (Vapes) Smoking and Tobacco Use CDC What's in vapes? Toxins, heavy metals, maybe radioactive polonium 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 E cigarettes and vapes