Brigette Honaker  |  December 9, 2019

Category: E-Cigarette

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scientists are looking at risks of vapingWhile thousands of consumers are in the hospital from a mysterious vaping illness, scientists are studying the health side effects of JUUL and other vapes.

Following increased reports of vaping illnesses around the country, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) reportedly gave a boost to vaping studies in the form of research funding. So far in 2019, the institute has reportedly spent $23 million on researching the health side effects of JUUL and other vaping products.

In September, an animal study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation studied the side effects of vapor inhalation in mice. Mice that were exposed to vaping aerosol for nearly one quarter of their life reportedly showed no symptoms of lung problems. However, examination of the mice’s lung tissue reportedly showed inflamed immune cells.

Mice who were affected by the swollen lung tissue reportedly showed no symptoms but died when they were exposed to a flu virus. The researchers determined that these mice may have a decreased ability to fight infection.

In October, another study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences determined that mice exposed to vaping may be at an increased risk of cancer. The studied animals were reportedly exposed to e-cigarettes for 54 weeks. They later were reportedly shown to have an increased risk of lung cancer and other warning signs of cancer.

Health Side Effects of JUUL & Other Products

Unfortunately, even with millions of dollars of research being done on the health side effects of JUUL and other vape products, the long term health consequences of vaping are not truly understood. Animal studies can be helpful but there is no way to know whether or not these studies will translate to humans. And currently, humans are suffering from vaping-related illnesses.

Thomas Eissenberg, co-director for the Center for the Study of Tobacco Products at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, is among numerous scientists pushing for human studies of vaping side effects. According to Science, Eissenberg notes that animal studies reveal “some of the things we should be looking for,” but are not the same as human clinical studies.

“The lungs don’t have a powerful defense mechanism,” he says. “Once things get into the lungs, they can cause a lot of trouble.”

Eissenberg reportedly applied for funding which would allow his colleagues and himself to perform bronchoscopies on healthy e-cigarette users. These endoscopic procedures allow doctors to look at the lungs and the air passages found within. During these proposed procedures, Eissenberg reportedly wants to look for the lipid-filled lung tissue seen in the September study.

“I’m worried about the throat and the upper airways,” Eissenberg reveals. The vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol in vape fluid can reportedly dry up tissues in the lungs as they come into contact with the specialized membranes in the lung. The long term side effects of this aridity are unknown.

Until further research is done, doctors may not know the extent of any e-cigarette consequences. It is the hope of Eissenberg and other scientists that future human studies can illuminate the unknowns of vaping risks.

Join a Free E-Cigarette Heart & Lung Lawsuit Investigation

If you or a loved one developed heart or lung problems after using e-cigarettes containing nicotine and/or THC, you may qualify to join this e-cigarette lung injury lawsuit investigation.Learn more by filling out the form on this page for a free case evaluation by a JUUL e-cigarette injury lawyer.

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