Upcoming FDA Hearing Will Address Exploding E-Cigarette Problems

According to a recently published Federal Register notice released on Jan. 04, 2017, the FDA and the Center for Tobacco Products (CPT) will hold a two day long public workshop on April 19 and April 20, 2017.

This workshop, which will be open for the public to attend, will examine the exploding e-cigarette problems reported by consumers, including battery explosion. Participants must register by March 17, 2017 and all electronic or written comments must be submitted to the FDA by May 22, 2017.

The workshop will allow both the public and tobacco industry to input their ideas and recommendations to address these concerns, especially public safety concerns to pertaining to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) batteries.

The FDA warns the public that the true rate of exploding e-cigarettes is unknown, due to the media reporting on these incidents.

Overview of Exploding E-Cigarette Problems

FDA researchers believe that many consumers do not report exploding e-cigarette problems, due to their injuries not being severe enough or simply do not have enough interest to report the incident.

E-cigarettes and vaping have been steadily increasing in popularity as consumers are searching for alternatives to cigarettes, which results in higher incident reports of exploding e-cigarette batteries.

The American Burn Association reports have indicated that several hundred incidents of e-cigarette explosions occurred in 2015 alone.

A 2016 report from EcigOne.com, which lists all federally recognized e-cigarette explosion injury reports, reported 25 percent of exploding e-cigarette problems occurred while consumers used the devices.

Other injury reports indicate that 44 percent of incidents occurred while charging, and others were caused from the battery overheating.

Exploding e-cigarette problems may stem from the small lithium-ion batteries that heat the aerosol cartridge, which releases the vapor fumes the consumer inhales. These lithium batteries are reportedly very sensitive to extreme damages or extreme temperature changes.

If made from cheap or inferior materials, these batteries reportedly overheat easily and then combust. Reports indicate the devices suddenly explode at unexpected times including while the device is recharging, in the user’s pockets, and even while in use.

These reports also indicate that many vapers suffered severe hand and facial injuries requiring hospital treatment. Recent injury statistics have spurred major concern in the FDA, resulting in the federal agency scheduling the hearing.