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E-Cigarette Poisoning Increases by 200%

Written by Sky Taylor, Diet Bites

CDC Officially Names Vaping Related Lung Illness

The Center for Disease Control & Prevention has officially named the illness associated with vaping as EVALI which stands for: 'E-cigarette Vaping-Associated Lung Injury'.

At the end of 2019, EVALI has impacted more than 1,000 individuals with lung-related sickness and taken the lives of almost 30 individuals, many of those in their younger years.

E-Cigarette Poisoning, Increased Risks

In September 2010 only 1 incident of potential e-cigarette poisoning was reported to a poison control center.

Leap forward to February 2014 where over 200 calls to poison centers were registered due to health issues related to e-cigarettes. The exact number was 215 for the month of February - which is about a 200% increase in calls. A little over half the calls involved children under age five; the remainder involved individuals over the age of twenty.

For conventional cigarettes, the number of calls did not register an increase.

Harmful Ingredients in E-Cigarettes

Clearly, e-cigarettes have moved to the forefront with users of these products unaware of the potential health risks associated with their use. E-cigarettes aren't harmless vapors as many advertisers would have one believe. They contain the following ingredients which poses risks to the human body:

1. Propylene glycol [PG]

Symptoms and side effects include allergic reactions, skin irritations, shortness of breath, immune disorders, heart issues, irritations to mucus membranes - such as issues with the eyes.

2. Vegetable Glycerin [VG]

3. Polyethylene Glycol 400 [PEG400]

This ingredient poses toxicity issues, although low.

4. Concentration of Nicotine

Side effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, lightheadedness, microvasculary injury, potential toxicity, increase in cancer risk. A dose of 30 to 60 mg's is considered a lethal dose for a healthy adult.

Where conventional cigarettes are involved, the risk is chiefly ingestion of the product. Where e-cigarette poisoning is involved, it's generally related to the ingestion, inhalation or absorption of the nicotine liquid through the skin or eyes.

Because they are available in flavors which are appealing to children, such as fruit or candy flavors, and because they aren't packaged as a childproof product, the risks are substantial.

E-Cigarette Side Effects & Symptoms Most Reported to Poison Control Centers

1. Vomiting

2. Nausea

3. Eye irritations

In Summary

E-Cigarettes aren't nicotine-free and pose numerous health risks.

At this time, the restaurants in our highly-populated area of Texas have not yet allowed them in restaurants - and the restrictions for E-Cigarettes remain the same as for 'hard' tobacco products.

If you are considering switching to this mode of smoking due to health concerns, please speak with your doctor so that together, you can create a personal treatment plan.

It most likely will not contain any products that contain the addictive ingredients that perpetuate habit forming situations, but if you're unable to quit smoking - no matter how hard you've tried, your doctor can assist in helping you kick the habit for your good health.

 

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