Do carts or vape pen hurt the lungs at all?

Yes, there is conclusive evidence indicating that using e-cigarettes or vaporizers can cause harm to the lungs and may lead to a variety of serious respiratory diseases.
Inhaling any substance other than clean air can potentially damage the lungs. Whether it is a product containing nicotine or extracts of marijuana (such as THC), it can bring about the following clear health risks.
Known risks of lung diseases
Numerous studies and authoritative medical institutions have linked e-cigarettes to the following types of lung diseases:
Electronic cigarette or vaping product-related lung injury (EVALI): This is one of the most direct and serious risks.
High correlation: The survey data from the US CDC indicates that vitamin E acetate (often used as a thickening agent in illegal THC products) is highly likely to be one of the main causes of the EVALI outbreak.
Serious consequences: In the United States, thousands of cases of EVALI have been reported and have resulted in dozens of deaths. This condition may present as acute respiratory distress syndrome, and in severe cases, it can lead to respiratory failure and death.
Popcorn Lung (Obstructive Bronchiolitis): This is an irreversible lung damage that causes inflammation and scar formation in the smallest airways of the lungs (bronchioles), leading to persistent coughing and shortness of breath. Its cause is a chemical substance commonly used as an additive in e-cigarette oil - diacetyl.
Other lung injuries:
Lipoid pneumonia: This is an inflammation caused by the accumulation of oily substances in the lungs. Using an e-cigarette pen containing crude cannabis extract oil increases the risk of contracting this disease.
Primary spontaneous pneumothorax (lung collapse): Studies suggest that both smoking traditional cigarettes and using electronic cigarettes may increase the risk of existing bullae in the lungs rupturing, thereby causing pneumothorax.
2. Direct exposure to toxic and harmful chemicals
Using electronic cigarettes exposes the lungs directly to a variety of harmful substances.
Chemical substances Primary sources and hazards
Vitamin E acetate An emulsifier in illegal THC products, it is the main culprit causing EVALI. Inhalation is harmful and may directly lead to chemical lung damage.
Diacetyl (Dibutyl Ketone) Used as a flavor enhancer in food, it is the main cause of "popcorn lung".
Formaldehyde (Formaldehyde) One of the carcinogens produced when glycerol and propylene glycol in the e-liquid are heated.
Acrolein (Acrolein) Used as an herbicide, it is also a strong respiratory irritant and can damage the lungs.
Heavy metals Heating elements may release heavy metals such as lead, nickel, and cadmium, which enter the blood and lungs along with the steam.
Propylene Glycol (Propylene Glycol) A common solvent in e-liquids, it is itself a known irritant and inhalation can trigger respiratory diseases such as asthma.
3. Comparison with regular cigarettes
Not harmless: Although many users believe that e-cigarettes are "less harmful" than traditional cigarettes, this does not mean they are "safe" or "harmless".
Different types of harm: The harm model of e-cigarettes is different from that of traditional cigarettes. It does not produce tar, but it brings about exposure to the aforementioned chemicals and new risks such as EVALI.
Summary
E-cigarettes are not harmless vapor. They deliver a series of known toxic chemicals to the lungs, which may lead to various serious and potentially fatal respiratory diseases such as EVALI, popcorn lung, and lipid pneumonia. Due to the complex composition and lack of regulation of electronic cigarette products (especially THC products from illegal sources), the long-term health effects still require more research, but the severe risks in the short term have been fully confirmed.