Investigators Explore Reports of E-Cigarette Accidents

In February, a Cleveland ABC affiliate published a report examining the growing occurrence of e-cigarette accidents.

According to this report by On Your Side investigators from News 5 Cleveland, consumers have been reporting that e-cigarettes suddenly combust in their hands. Victims and burn treatment specialists tell On Your Side investigators their concern of the problem, and that e-cigarette accidents need to be taken seriously by public health officials.

Through their investigation, On Your Side compiled a comprehensive list of e-cigarette accidents that have occurred throughout the country. The investigators compiled this list after gathering data from public records, court filings, internet reports, and fire response records.

Overview of E-Cigarette Explosions Investigation

In the last several years, at least five cases of e-cigarette injuries were treated at the Comprehensive Burn Care Center at Metrohealth Medical Center in Ohio. This burn center is one of four burn care specialty facilities verified by the American Burn Association.

Medical experts are expressing concern to On Your Side investigators over the frequent occurrence of e-cigarette accidents.

“The first time you see it, you think it’s just a fluke. Then you start seeing them, you know, recurrently over the course of a couple years and you realize, wait a second, this is probably something we’re going to start seeing more of as the year’s progress,” Dr. Anjay Khandelwal, co-director of the Comprehensive Burn Care Center.

In addition, doctors at UCHealth Burn Center in Denver have also stated they are concerned over the amount of e-cigarette explosions they have treated. Dr. Arek Wiktor of the Denver burn center told On Your Side the amount of e-cigarette accidents have risen in just the past two years.

The investigators also spoke with victims of e-cigarette explosions, including Greg Ingram. Ingram was one of 16 e-cigarette explosion victims treated at UCHealth last year, stating that his “pants caught fire and the flames shot out and got my thumb, and then I went to pat it out and my whole pocket just erupted.”

Critics attribute e-cigarette explosions to the small lithium-ion batteries the devices use. Power from these lithium-ion batteries heats the aerosol cartridge, which releases the vapor the customer inhales.These batteries may be sensitive to extreme temperature changes or even increased pressure of some kind.

E-cigarettes are popular for consumers who are trying to quit smoking or find an alternative to tobacco cigarettes. However, these lithium-ion batteries need to maintain a temperature between 50 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Experts warn that off-brand or cheaply made e-cigarettes may be inferiorly made and therefore more dangerous.

Even though e-cigarette explosion reports have been on the rise, these products currently do not have warnings about the batteries potentially combusting. On Your Side investigators also found that no state agency, in any part of the country, tracks e-cigarette explosions.

The investigators also contacted the American Vaping Association for their comments. President Greg Conley issued a response, saying that “[w]hen charged, stored, and used under proper conditions, vapor products pose no more of a fire risk than cellphones and laptops that use similar lithium-ion batteries.

“However, when vapor products are subjected to extreme conditions or used with unwrapped or damaged batteries, short circuits can occur. For those consumers using or wishing to use more advanced products, learning and practicing battery safety is a must…” said Conley.

Ingram and other customers stated they were not aware of potential e-cigarette explosions and would like to have received disclosure. Some customers have opted to file legal action over these unexpected accidents.

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.