Flavored e-cigarette vapor toxic to lung cells even without nicotine
- 5 years ago
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA — New research has found that vapors from flavored e-cigarettes can be dangerous for the lungs.
According to CBS, the liquid in e-cigarettes consist of a base made of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, with flavor added.
It isn't simply "oil and water vapor" as some believe, but an oil and petroleum solution.
RNZ reports that a study from the University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital examined three brands of apple-flavored vaping liquid, with and without nicotine.
Researchers found that the vapors were toxic to healthy bronchial epithelial cells that line the airways, and could trigger cell death.
Extracts of the vapors were also found to interfere with the immune system by altering the function of cells that lock away dead and dying cells in the body, called macrophages.
The effects were present even when the vapor contained no nicotine.
The team says the next stage of research will focus on isolating which particular chemicals may be causing harm.
The new study comes as another vaping-related death was reported in the U.S. last week, bringing the total to 8. Probable cases of vaping-related lung disease, meanwhile, have risen to 530, according to the New York Times.
7News reports that no single vaping product or ingredient has so far been linked to these illnesses, though most reported vaping THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana.
According to CBS, the liquid in e-cigarettes consist of a base made of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, with flavor added.
It isn't simply "oil and water vapor" as some believe, but an oil and petroleum solution.
RNZ reports that a study from the University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital examined three brands of apple-flavored vaping liquid, with and without nicotine.
Researchers found that the vapors were toxic to healthy bronchial epithelial cells that line the airways, and could trigger cell death.
Extracts of the vapors were also found to interfere with the immune system by altering the function of cells that lock away dead and dying cells in the body, called macrophages.
The effects were present even when the vapor contained no nicotine.
The team says the next stage of research will focus on isolating which particular chemicals may be causing harm.
The new study comes as another vaping-related death was reported in the U.S. last week, bringing the total to 8. Probable cases of vaping-related lung disease, meanwhile, have risen to 530, according to the New York Times.
7News reports that no single vaping product or ingredient has so far been linked to these illnesses, though most reported vaping THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana.