How have e cigarettes changed over time? Vaping Harmless. Vape aerosol contains toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, arsenic, lead, chromium, and nickel. They damage lungs. They harm developing brains. They raise cancer risks. We Disposable Vapes Ban Highlights Urgent Need for Safe Recycling E cigarettes and Vaping Commercial Tobacco Use MN Dept. of Health The devices, popular among teens, emit lead, nickel and antimony at concentrations that may exceed cancer and neurological risk thresholds.