THC vapes can sometimes be tainted, and unfortunately, these vapes have been linked to vaping lung problems. Reportedly, the problem does not stop there — the Center for Disease Control says that more and more people are dying from these vape-related illnesses.

According to the CDC, 68 people in 29 states have died from e-cigarette related use. Around the country, 2,807 cases, including deaths related to vaping have been reported around the country. 

The CDC blames most of the danger on vapes tainted with vitamin E acetate, used as a cutting ingredient in THC vapes, explains a report by United Press International (UPI). However, more chemicals may be at play in this health risk.

UPI explains that most of the cases of vaping lung illnesses around the country occurred in the most populous states, including Illinois, New York, California, and Texas, but Georgia and Indiana saw the highest numbers of deaths, at six each. Illinois and Massachusetts have seen a total of five deaths each, and California and Utah have suffered four deaths, says UPI. Reportedly, more deaths are being researched in connection with vaping.

UPI goes on to note that vaping lung problems are known as EVALI. The country’s EVALI cases reportedly peaked in September. Amidst the sad news of rising EVALI deaths, the CDC reports the happy news that there seems to be a decline in overall cases since the peak in September.

The CDC reports that EVALI has been “strongly linked” to the presence of vitamin E acetate in vapes and e-cigarettes that deliver THC. Reportedly, the substance was present in the lung fluid samples 48 of 51 EVALI patients, and was not present in the same fluid of healthy patients.

UPI explains that illegal THC vape products may contain harmful contaminants not present in products produced legally. Though the CDC advises that the best way to advise possibly harmful chemicals associated with THC vapes is to stop using THC vapes entirely, UPI notes that the risk of exposure to dangerous chemicals may go up with use of illegal vape products.

The CDC provides further information about vitamin E acetate, noting that it is present in many foods, and can be purchased as a dietary supplement. Reportedly, it is present in some cosmetic products. Though vitamin E acetate may be safe to consume, experts say that it may be dangerous when inhaled, because it can impair lung function, says the CDC.

Johns Hopkins Medicine says that vaping does put users at risk for exposure to fewer toxic chemicals than traditional cigarettes, but that this does not mean they are safe. Additionally, they may be just as addictive as regular cigarettes, or even more so. Johns Hopkins says that e-cigarettes often have high nicotine levels, though they are sometimes advertised as smoking cessation tools.

In addition to possibly exposing users to EVALI, they may set users up for other health conditions including heart problems and serious nicotine addictions, says Johns Hopkins. Some experts claim that vape companies market their products to teens, whose developing brains make them susceptible to nicotine addictions — if a teen or young adult picks up a nicotine habit while their brain is still developing, this habit can be a particularly hard one to shake.