First E-Cigarette-Related Death and a Mysterious Lung Illness Make Headlines in the United States

On 24 August 2019 in Illinois, USA, electronic cigarettes a patient was reported to have died after developing a serious respiratory illness caused by them. To date, many potential and direct adverse health effects of electronic cigaretteswe had researched and shared with you, but this sudden loss of life is an unexpected and deeply unsettling development.

It was also reported that, in the United States, experts are currently investigating a mysterious lung illnessassociated with e-cigarette use.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that across 22 US states there were 193 "potential cases".

CDC experts said that most of the cases had used THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis, for vaping (note: in English, using an e-cigarette is briefly called vaping ). Cannabis and its components are estimated to be used in %5-10 of electronic cigarette cartridges in the United States (see the relevant study).

Cases were reported over two months, between 28 June - 20 August.

The person who died "was hospitalized with an unexplained illness after reporting vaping or e-cigarette use", says Dr. Jennifer Layden, the medical health officer and state epidemiologist in Illinois.

CDC director Robert Redfield said: "We are saddened to report the first death associated with the outbreak of severe lung disease in those who use e-cigarettes or vaping devices." and added: "This tragic death in Illinois reinforces the serious risks associated with e-cigarette products."

What Is the Mysterious Lung Illness?

The cause of the mysterious illness has not been identified, but all those affected have used e-cigarettes in some form.

Dr. Ileana Arias, "In many cases, patients admitted to recent use of a product containing THC (a cannabis component)." said.

Those affected had symptoms including cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. There is no evidence that this is an infectious disease caused by a virus or bacterium. Arias "It is unclear whether these cases have a common cause or are different illnesses with similar signs and symptoms." said. In Illinois, where the e-cigarette-related death occurred, people aged 17 to 38 accounted for 22 cases. Although the 22 affected states are in the central and northeastern parts of the country, from Minnesota to North Carolina, cases were also reported in California, Texas and New Mexico.

Officials have begun laboratory testing of vaping liquid samples (e-cigarette cartridges) to identify harmful compounds.

A "black market" is known to exist for THC-containing vape cartridges that are legally sold through medical cannabis dealers in some states.

Users in online communities warned about the dangers of unregulated counterfeit cartridges.

Is Regular E-Cigarette Use Safe?

Although e-cigarettes have been part of our lives for a much shorter time than regular cigarettes, evidence is growing that we cannot consider vaping safe. Here are a few examples:

• Electronic cigarette liquid flavorings may impair heart muscle function
• An entirely unexpected consequence of electronic cigarettes: epileptic seizures!
• Electronic cigarettes harm oral health as much as tobacco

In conclusion, we now know that e-cigarettes do not emit a harmless aerosol. Various harmful components have been identified in e-cigarette smoke, including ultrafine particles and chemical substances such as lead and heavy metals.