Vapes found to be breeding ground for fungi
You might be inhaling more than just vapour when you vape.
Vapes have pretty much taken over the world, with many smokers opting for what has been sold as a healthier alternative to cigarettes.
Even some non-smokers have started enjoying the flavourful, nicotine-packed e-cigarettes, which have quickly become a social norm.
Although many people believe it is a cleaner, healthier version of smoking, little is known about the long-term health impacts.
Many have argued that vapes are, in fact, not healthier than smoking cigarettes.
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A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Florida in the US found that things might be even worse than many thought.
Scientists discovered that the mouthpieces of electronic cigarettes can contain fungi that could be harmful.
The study found that vapes could be colonised with pathogenic microbes that may contribute to lung disease.
Their enclosed plastic design and the temperature fluctuations as they warm when being used reportedly create an ideal breeding ground for fungi.
Many vapers who took part in the study also reported not cleaning their vapes, making matters worse.
"We enrolled 25 e-cigarette users, most of whom used e-cigarettes daily, had disposable devices, and did not clean their devices. About a third of the subjects reported respiratory symptoms," researchers said.
According to the Daily Mail, over 80% of the fungi found in the mouthpieces could cause illness and included pathogens that could cause lung disease.
Very few mouthpieces actually harboured bacteria, but they were "abundantly colonised" by fungi.
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The fungi included types such as Rhodotorula, Aureobasidium, Cystobasidium, and Meyerozyma.
According to IOL, the most commonly found fungus, Cystobasidium, was given to mice to monitor its effects.
Scientists found that the fungus caused more mucus in the mice’s lungs, making breathing more difficult and showing signs of lung disease such as chronic bronchitis.
The fungus was not always found in the mice's lungs afterwards, except in one case.
It is important to note that this study was a bioRxiv preprint posted on August 1, 2025, and the findings still need to be peer-reviewed.
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