Vaping: Safe? Or Are Your Lungs Going Up In Smoke? Vaping harmless. Chemicals like formaldehyde, arsenic, lead, chromium, and nickel are found in vape aerosol. They damage lungs. They harm developing brains. They raise cancer risks. Protect New lung scans prove vaping is toxic. The science is officially in. Scans show that teens have developed "popcorn lung" as a result of vaping. It's a permanent, chronic disease that shortens Vaping Possible Negative Effects on Lungs: State of the Art From Lung Capacity Alteration to Cancer Cureus