Toxic chemicals
ATLANTA, Ga. — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discussed recent findings from analyses performed on patients suggests that the lung illnesses are actually chemical burns or stem from toxic chemical fumes and not ingestion of oil as once previously thought. At least one vaping illness has been reported in 48 states along with the U.S. Virgin Islands. The latest tally of illnesses according to a tally completed by the CDC indicates that 805 people have been diagnosed with vaping illness, and now as many as twelve people have died from it according to a report appearing in the York Daily Record. The CDC expects more people to be diagnosed with a lung illness caused by vaping.
Doctors who examine patients suffering from lung problems caused by vaping see very serious injuries. In other words, the doctors are not seeing mild cases of vaping illnesses that mimic a bout of bronchitis. Doctors know that the injuries patients suffered are very serious, but they do not know if the injuries are permanent or whether the patients will ever regain full pulmonary function ever again.
The demographic of people sickened by vaping favors younger males, although the median age of those who died is unexpectedly high. The latest data shows 70% of the vaping illness is experienced by males, 47% of whom are under 21 years-of-age. Additionally, the median age of those who have perished due to vaping lung injuries is 49.5. However, physicians are concerned that young people will sustain permanent and debilitating lung injuries from exposure to the toxic chemicals found in vaping products. Additionally, 80% of the illnesses are experienced by people with a history of vaping THC, the active ingredient in marijuana, either alone or with nicotine.
The results of a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine suggest that the vaping illness appears to be chemical burns or exposure to toxic gases.
