Passerby posts photo after finding a mysterious device on the street
Vaping spans nearly every age group, from middle-schoolers to baby boomers, and disposable e-cigarettes remain widely used. Beyond direct health concerns for users, discarded vapes — with their chemical residues and lithium cells — present environmental and fire hazards.
A Reddit user posted two photos to the r/whatisthisthing forum after discovering a rectangular plastic object on the pavement. Cables connected two knob-like components to batteries and a small display. "I found it on the street," the poster wrote. "The display seems odd ... reason for guessing [e-cigarette] controller ... is that it smells like it."
"I found it on the street. The display seems odd ... reason for guessing [e-cigarette] controller ... is that it smells like it."
Commenters quickly identified the item as a discarded vaping device. Several users pointed to the battery as confirming evidence — one described it as a 13450 3.7V lithium polymer cell.
Environmental concerns
Researchers and regulators have highlighted environmental risks tied to e-cigarettes. A study cited in the National Library of Medicine notes that some e-cigarette components are classified as hazardous waste because of potential lead leaching — where lead can seep into water or soil. Lithium batteries inside vapes are also considered dangerous electronic waste and have been implicated in fires when damaged or improperly discarded.
The same research explains that while vapes are not combustible like conventional fuels, they can produce potentially toxic aerosols when heated. Manufacturing these devices contributes pollution as well, and experts say many questions remain about their full ecological impact.
Health risks and youth exposure
Research on the long-term human health effects of vaping is still developing, but institutions such as Johns Hopkins Medicine state that current evidence indicates vaping likely harms the heart and lungs. Because many e-cigarettes are inexpensive, easy to obtain and marketed to younger buyers, public-health advocates worry that youth may be exposed to harm before science fully understands the long-term consequences.
Takeaway: Discarded vapes are more than litter — they can pose chemical, fire and public-health risks. Proper disposal, recycling where available, and increased awareness can help reduce environmental and safety hazards.
