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Benzene, commonly found in traffic pollution and paint stripper, can form in the vapours of the electronic devices operated at high power.

The chemical has been linked to a number of serious diseases — including leukaemia and bone marrow failure.

But now scientists say there is a more worrying benzene risk to E-cig smokers, with a much higher concentration detected than that in the surrounding atmosphere.

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Professor James Pankow, of Portland State University which carried out the research, issued a warning over E-cig dangers.

He said: "The fact vaping can deliver benzene levels many times higher than those found in the ambient atmosphere — where it is already recognised as a cancer risk — should be of concern to anyone using e-cigarettes.

"Please, stay away from high power if it's available on your device."

Some devices' high power option offers a greater amount of vapour to be released and a stronger taste.

(Image: GETTY)

But the increased voltage also raises the amount of benzene sucked into the user's lungs.

The US has named benzene as the number one cancer-risk toxin in the country.

Experts studying E-cig risks said their results were alarming, despite the cancer risk being still far lower than conventional cigarettes.

The study follows research last month that suggested e-cigs can be just as bad for the heart as conventional cigarettes.

E-cigs are used by almost three million Brits, with many relying on them to help kick their smoking habit.

But evidence is mounting vaping is not as safe as many people were led to believe, after a number of controversial studies pointed to the risks.