Can Vaping Cause Optic Nerve Damage? La Quinta, CA Macroscopic Metals The Real Cost A single vape can damage the environment in three different ways: plastic waste, hazardous waste, and e waste. Now multiply that by every vape thrown away across our state it's no wonder 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