Vaping linked to 94 mysterious cases of severe pulmonary disease in 14 states

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Saturday that they were investigating a wave of serious lung diseases related to the use of e-cigarette or "vaping" products.

Between June 28 and August 15, health officials counted 94 probable cases of severe lung disease in 14 states, the CDC said. Officials have found no conclusive evidence suggesting that an infectious disease is causing the cases, the agency added. The only common denominator to date seems to be the recent vaping of those who suffer from it.

The CDC works in close consultation with officials from the hardest-hit states, including Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Indiana, and Minnesota. Wisconsin alone reported 30 of the 94 cases.

In many diseases, people suffer from shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, coughing and weight loss, announced the Wisconsin Department of Health Services in its investigation notice. # 39; outbreak. Cases appeared mainly in adolescents and young adults at first, the department said. But now, officials are also witnessing cases in older people.

The investigators are trying to find more information about the products and brands of electronic cigarettes used by the victims. Wisconsin officials allegedly sent suspected vape liquid cartridges to the Food and Drug Administration for testing. Health officials in Wisconsin noted that "

Doubtful products

In one case from Wisconsin, a 26-year-old man with asthma was found in an intensive care unit in July with difficulty breathing after having vaping THC oil that was found to be inactive. he had bought on the street, reported NPR. (THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.) The oxygen level in the man's blood fell to only 10% and he was placed in a coma for medical reasons.

Now out of the hospital, he told NPR that he suspected his illness was related to THC oil. "The oil in the cartridge was really diluted, and it was pee color, it was not supposed to be that color, it had to be dark orange," he said.

He cautioned other people who transgressed THC: "If you smoke, stay in the clinics, do not buy anything in the street without knowing where it comes from."

Juul Labs, the dominant US maker of electronic cigarettes that has attracted the attention of federal regulators, said in a statement sent to Reuters:[l]Like all the health related events that would have been associated with the use of steam products, we are monitoring these reports. "

"These reports reaffirm the need to keep all tobacco and nicotine products out of the reach of young people through important regulations on access and enforcement," the statement said. Juul added that some of the cases appeared to involve THC, a controlled substance that the company does not sell.

"We also have to make sure that illegal products, such as counterfeiters, imitators and those who deliver controlled substances, stay out of the market and young people," wrote Juul.

While e-cigarette advocates claim that products are significantly safer than traditional cigarettes and can help smokers quit smoking, Juul and others have been heavily criticized for allegedly selling their products to teenagers, helping to trigger what the FDA has described as a "youth epidemic". use of the electronic cigarette. "

Beyond the risk of nicotine addiction throughout life, health officials are concerned about the long-term effects of sprays on health, which contain a wide variety of chemicals and components. Some contain flavors that have been tested for safety in edible foods, but not for inhalation. Researchers have reported that some vapor liquids, including those sold by Juul, can create irritating compounds when heated.