E Cigarette Explosions Increase as Devices Become More Popular

E cigarette explosions continue to be a concern as the FDA gains control over the devices, but not the root cause of the problems – the batteries.

The New England Journal of Medicine released a report from the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle that gave an overview of e cigarette explosions treated at the hospital from October 2015 through June 2016.

E cigarettes include the traditionally shaped cigarette that operates by battery and personal vaporizers that look like rectangular-shaped boxes with an inhalation chamber. As a group, they are also referred to as electronic nicotine-delivery systems (ENDS).

All of the devices operate by lithium-ion batteries that can explode when overheated.

Lithium ion batteries contain hydrofluoric acid that causes damaging chemical burns to exposed skin. Such burns are dangerous because the damage takes a while to be seen, but delayed treatment can make the burns worsen.

Many victims of electronic cigarette explosions experience third degree burns because chemical thermal burns continue to damage the skin even after the initial flame has been extinguished.

The University of Washington Medical Center reported the following injuries among its victims of e cigarette explosions:

• 80% had flame burns
• 33% had chemical burns
• 27% had blast injuries

Patients most often suffered injuries to the thigh or groin (53%), indicating those incidents found the device was in a pants pocket when it exploded.

Twenty percent of the injuries were to the face, and 33% were to the hands.

The report said, “Blast injuries have led to tooth loss, traumatic tattooing, and extensive loss of soft tissue, requiring operative debridement and closure of tissue defects.”

The report warns other hospitals around the country to be prepared to treat victims of e cigarette explosions as the use of these devices continues to gain popularity.

“These patients often require complex multidisciplinary care involving emergency medicine providers, plastic surgeons, burn care providers, vocational counselors, and psychologists. Many of these patients are young, but we are seeing an expanding age spectrum, indicating a growing use of ENDS and the need for broad public health efforts,” advised the report.

The Science Behind E Cigarette Explosions

The lithium ion batteries used in e cigarette devices must be kept between 50 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit. If exposed to temperatures above or below that recommendation, malfunctions can occur.

Cheap batteries and cheap chargers, many made overseas, can increase the risk of malfunctioning. A well-made lithium ion battery has a miniscule risk of failure because of safety mechanisms built from within. Cheaper batteries do not include these precautionary protections.

Poorly made chargers can increase the risk of e cigarette batteries exploding as well. Not all chargers are universal in quality. Poorly designed chargers can overcharge batteries or charge them too quickly, increasing the chances of an explosion.

If you have been injured by an e cigarette explosion, you could benefit from an e cigarette lawsuit against the manufacturers.

Join a Free Exploding E-Cigarette Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you or a loved one was injured and hospitalized by an exploding e-cigarette, you may qualify to join this e-cigarette class action lawsuit investigation.