There has been a third death from vaping-related lung disease and another death is being investigated.
Federal Health Officials are recommending people discontinue vaping for now, until we know more about the associated risks. They have also dismissed claims that Vitamin E Acetate is at the root of illnesses.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has vowed to work with state and federal agencies to find out what exactly is making people sick.
“We are working around the clock to find out what is making people sick,” Ileana Arias, acting deputy director, Non-Infectious Diseases, CDC, said during a conference call on Friday. “The focus of the investigation is narrowing, but we are still faced with complicated questions in this outbreak.”
On Friday, Indiana announced the death that was related to e-cigarette use. The previous deaths were in Oregon and Illinois. In all three cases, the name of the deceased, age, or city has been made public.
The CDC also said Friday it is aware of 450 possible vaping-related cases in 33 states, including the 215 that have been previously reported.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has collected 120 e-cigarette samples in order to find some common factor that causes lung disease in some users. The analysis includes the devices themselves as well as the chemicals used in vaping.
While there is not a specific device or chemical linked to all cases, the CDC reports that a majority of the patients are young (18-35), are male and admit to using a THC, nicotine, or both, 90 days before seeing symptoms. CDC officials said symptoms include shortness of breath, gastrointestinal issues, fever and fatigue. In all reported cases of vaping-related illnesses, abnormalities were observed in both lungs after examination and no infections were detected, the CDC said.
Source: ABC News
Watch:
With 3 deaths confirmed and up to 450 others suspected, it might be time to rethink the branding of vaping as a ‘safer’ alternative to more traditional smoking. Regular smoking might kill people, but it generally takes a long time and a lot of smoking before that’s a serious concern.
Vaping, on the other hand, hasn’t been around all that long, and it’s introducing a substance into the lungs that we’ve not studied before.
In addition to THOSE concerns, we now have yet another reason to avoid using street drugs.
Let's be clear — a contaminant of serious concern has been identified in illicit *THC* street vapes, not nicotine vaping products.
Health authorities that continue to issue generalized warnings about "vaping" are endangering the public. #ecigs #vaping #HarmReduction https://t.co/PxLlNTbpQY
— American Vaping Assn (@AVABoard) September 5, 2019
Related:
VAPING: You Can Now Add ‘Coma’ To The List Of Medical Complications Of ‘Safer’ Smoking
This City Is First To Ban VAPING, But Heroin And Weed Are A-OK?
