57 California-reported cases of vaping-related pulmonary disease, 1 death

A mysterious pulmonary disease linked to vaping is on the rise and US health authorities are warning people to avoid smoking with the electronic cigarette until they know why some users are developing respiratory illnesses that put their minds at risk. life in danger.

The California Department of Public Health is currently investigating 57 potential cases of acute lung disease in newly vaporized individuals beginning in late June. Some cases involve people who have vapoted cannabis products purchased from unauthorized sources, although the agency did not provide a specific figure.

On Friday, Los Angeles County Health Authorities announced the first known death in the state associated with the manufacture of a product containing marijuana. Death is under investigation.

The disclosure took place on the same day that US health authorities renewed calls for an e-cigarette ban until the cause of the disease was determined. The officials identified about 450 possible cases, including five deaths, in 33 states.

Most patients report using both nicotine and THC, with the compound in marijuana creating a high dose, although some say they only spray nicotine.

Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid substance (called "electronic liquid" or "electronic juice") containing nicotine, flavors and other additives and providing nicotine and aromas to the body. user in the form of aerosol. ("smoke").

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Danielle Ramo, a clinical psychologist from San Francisco who studied the impact of vaping as an associate professor of psychiatry at UC San Francisco and director of research at Hopelab, said that as long as cases of lung disease remained under investigation, it was clear probably the cause.

"The exact cause of the lung disease has not been identified, but it is probably due to the additives contained in the vaping liquid, especially vitamin E, which can be dangerous when they are heated and inhaled." said Ramo. "All vaping products do not contain these additives, but it can be difficult to know which ones contain them, because not all ingredients are in vaping liquids, especially black market products. to avoid these ingredients is not to vape. "

Ramo worked with teenagers battling steam addiction. Although health officials have not communicated the age of pulmonary disease patients and the prevalence among adolescents remains unclear, it is essential that parents discuss risks with their children.

"Issues to be addressed include the risk of exposure to some of the same toxins found in cigarettes, the risk of long-term dependence on nicotine, including smoking, and the potential for these products to cause cancer. lung disease or death, "she advises.

The Associated Press has contributed to this story.