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A recent study conducted by Harvard researchers discovered evidence of bacteria and fungi in the cartridges and liquids used in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), adding to known and suspected vaping health risks.
David Christiani, a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health professor, indicates in the article that the evidence found represents a really small exposure overall, but should be given consideration with all other warnings concerning this new method of nicotine intake.
What Are Endotoxins and Glucans?
According to an April 24, 2019 news release from Eureka Alert, the T.H. Chan School of Public Health study thoroughly examined 75 individual products associated with e-cigarette use such as single-use cartridges and nicotine-based liquids used with refillable units.
Traces of a microbial agent found on gram-negative bacteria was found in 27 percent of the products—these are endotoxins. Glucan, an element found in the cell wall of the vast majority of fungi, was found in 81 percent of the products reviewed by the study.
Both Endotoxins and Glucan have been previously noted to have deleterious effects on the functions of the human lung. Asthma and other inflammatory conditions have been connected to these elements.
Vaping Health Risks
The takeaway from this study, according to the WBUR article, is that users need to understand that they are taking in chemical contaminants as well as biological ones. These exposures don’t approach that of traditional tobacco products or occupational hazards, the overall health impact still should not be underestimated.
The Youthful Epidemic
In addition to the risks posed by these contaminants, the risk of nicotine addiction in e-cigarette users is still on the minds of public health experts. An epidemic of youth starting a nicotine habit via vaping has grown exponentially. The U.S. Surgeon General has issued a warning recommending that strategic efforts to control this benign-appearing habit need to be instituted to discourage minors from using e-cigarettes.
Surgeon General Jerome Adams recommends that medical professionals ask more detailed questions regarding “tobacco use” on health history questionnaires.
He particularly hopes that specific inquiries regarding vaping habits be leveled at young people during routine screenings in order to open up conversations regarding the potential dangers. Additionally, he hopes to see retail, office buildings, and other facilities issue bans on use of vaping products indoors.
WBUR indicates that one of the primary problems with vaping is that the negative feedback from the burning feeling of smoke has been taken away. A good number of young people are surprisingly unaware that they are taking in nicotine at all.
In particular, JUUL vaping products have been enormously popular and have been specifically marketed to minors by couching the high-nicotine content in “flavored” products that mimic fruits like candy.
These sweet-sounding flavors attract children like bees to honey and can contribute to nicotine habits which may later involve traditional tobacco. One JUUL cartridge is estimated to contain enough nicotine to equal one pack of 20 cigarettes.
Join a Free JUUL E-Cigarette Class Action Lawsuit Investigation
If you or your child suffered seizures after vaping with a JUUL e-cigarette, you may benefit from participating in a free JUUL class action lawsuit investigation.
This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.
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