CDC Identifies Potential Culprit in Lung Injury Cases Affecting Vape and E-Cigarette Users
Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC is a personal injury lawyer taking cases from individuals who became addicted to vaping devices when they were under-age. (The vaping and e-cigarette industry has come under fire for targeting youth in its advertisement campaigns, and regulators are closely monitoring the industry because youth vaping has increased.) Our firm is also taking cases from individuals who have suffered from vaping-related lung injury as a result of using vaping devices. While investigators are continuing to investigate the various factors that link the use of vaping devices with vaping-related lung illness and injury, the Centers for Disease Control has recently identified vitamin E acetate as a crucial chemical contained by certain vaping products that could be linked to the recent spate of lung injuries and deaths. In fact, the CDC has noted vitamin E acetate as the common chemical found in recent vaping related lung illness cases.
Among patients suffering from vaping related lung injury, vitamin E acetate was found in all samples taken. Lung samples from 29 patients across ten states were taken. Vitamin E acetate is most commonly used as an additive in e-cigarettes and vaping products that contain THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. The CDC has issued a recommendation that individuals refrain from using vaping products that contain THC until the link between this chemical and recent lung injuries is better understood. Researchers continue to explore how this additive might be impacting lung health among users. According to the CDC, many chemicals alongside vitamin E acetate were found in e-cigarettes, including plant oils, mineral oils, and other additives, but these chemicals were not consistently found in samples taken from patients suffering from vaping related lung injury and illness.
If you have suffered a vaping related lung injury or illness after using a vaping product, consider contacting Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC. Our personal injury attorneys can review your case, help you understand your rights, and assist you in making a claim.
What is Vitamin E Acetate?
Vitamin E acetate is a synthetic chemical that has been used in some THC vaping liquids to dilute the liquid or thicken the liquid. THC is the active chemical in marijuana. Vitamin E acetate is a chemical used in creams and supplements, but when it is inhaled, there is reason to believe that it could cause serious harm. The CDC believes that this sticky substance may not be healthy to inhale, and it can linger in the lungs long after it has been inhaled, which can result in lung damage, scarring, and illness. Fluid samples of 29 patients suffering from vaping related lung illness were taken by researchers sampling patients across 10 states. Vitamin E acetate was found in all samples taken from these patients.
According to Vox, as many as 50% of THC vaping products may contain vitamin E acetate. Other states reported higher numbers of vaping products containing the additive. Because of the patchwork nature of THC regulation, vitamin E acetate may be used by illicit suppliers, but may also be used by legitimate suppliers as well. So individuals receiving their THC from both legitimate and illegitimate suppliers might be affected.
Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC is accepting cases where individuals have been injured after using vaping devices. If you,, or a friend or family member, have suffered a serious lung injury potentially related to a vaping, the lawyers at Blizzard Greenberg, PLLC may be able to help.
