Researchers find HARMFUL nicotine-mimicking chemicals in e-cigarette and vape products
E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are battery-powered devices that heat liquids, containing flavoring, nicotine and other substances to produce inhalable aerosols. While they have become a popular alternative to traditional cigarettes – largely due to claims that they don't contain the carcinogens found in tobacco –
new challenges are emerging as studies show these alternatives contain many dangerous ingredients.
Some e-cigarette manufacturers
are now using potent nicotine-like chemicals known as nicotine analogs which bypass the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Researchers from
Duke University and from
Yale University have discovered discrepancies between what these products claim to contain and what is actually present. In some cases,
the labels don't disclose the presence of certain nicotine analogs or the levels listed are inaccurate.
A study published in the
Journal of the American Medical Association highlights that consumers may not be aware of what they're inhaling, potentially increasing health risks. The FDA's regulatory power covers nicotine and tobacco products but does not extend to these chemical analogs –
leaving a concerning gap in oversight. (Related:
E-CIGARETTES’ surprising lack of regulation comes as no surprise since FDA has been in cahoots with Big Tobacco for nearly 100 years.)
For example, a newly marketed e-cigarette called Spree Bar contains a nicotine analog called 6-methylnicotine (6MN),
which is more toxic than nicotine. Despite this, the product avoids FDA regulations by claiming exemption from tobacco laws.
Similarly, other products with nicotinamide, labeled as Nic-Safe, Nixamide, Nixodine, Nixotine and similar names, are marketed as targeting the same receptors as nicotine, though their effects on humans are not well understood. This lack of data raises serious concerns about the potential for addiction and other health risks associated with these substances.
Vaping alleged to be less dangerous than traditional cigarettes – but still very risky
E-cigarettes work by heating a mix of flavorings, nicotine
and other chemicals to create aerosols that can be inhaled. Unlike traditional cigarettes, which contain about 7,000 harmful chemicals,
vaping supposedly exposes users to fewer toxins. However, the exact chemicals in e-cigarettes remain unclear.
Despite claims as a "safer" option, vaping has been linked to serious health issues, including lung injuries and deaths. As of February 2020, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 2,800 cases of
EVALI (e-cigarettes or vaping use-associated lung injury) and nearly 70 deaths. Most of these cases involved people who altered their vaping devices or used black-market products – particularly those containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis.
The CDC has identified vitamin E acetate – a thickening agent often found in THC products – as a major concern. It was detected in the lung fluid of all EVALI patients they studied. To minimize the risks, the CDC advises against using THC-containing e-cigarettes, buying devices from informal sources or modifying e-cigarettes beyond the manufacturer's instructions.
Research from
Johns Hopkins University's Department of Environmental Health and Engineering published
Chemical Research in Toxicology in October 2021,
uncovered thousands of chemicals in vape products, many of which are identified. Some known substances include caffeine, a pesticide and two flavorings linked to potential toxic effects and respiratory issues.
A study by the
University of North Carolina published in
PLoS Biology revealed that the main ingredients found in e-cigarettes –
propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin – are toxic to cells. The researchers noted that the more ingredients present in an e-liquid, the higher its toxicity level becomes.
Visit
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Watch the following video discussing
how dangerous vaping really is.
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More related stories:
Vaping dangers: Study reveals second-hand smoke from e-cigarettes contains 22 times the safe level of certain toxins.
FDA now BANNING JUUL e-cigarettes, while R.J. Reynolds Tobacco still sells their own versions of the same, because the FDA and AMA have always supported CAMEL CIGARETTES.
E-cigarettes loaded with toxic chemicals, study finds.
VAPE WARNING: If you vape, you could be leading your health down a dark road, but there is a "light" at the end of the tunnel.
Sources include:
TheEpochTimes.com
JAMANetwork.com 1
JAMANetwork.com 2
HopkinsMedicine.org
YaleMedicine.org
Pubs.ACS.org
Journals.PLoS.org
Brighteon.com