Throughout the past few weeks, hundreds of Americans have been hospitalized due to a mysterious lung illness. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, vomiting, weight loss, and a fever. As of today it has left 8 dead with more likely to follow. Although no cause has been directly confirmed, the afflicted share one common trait. Every single one of them has vaped. As of this month, the CDC has officially classified this so called “vaping illness” as an outbreak. They have formally recommended that anyone currently using electronic cigarettes/vapes should cease until the situation becomes more clear. Although a prevalent theory states that these issues are the result of a substance known as “vitamin E acetate”, a contaminant found within THC vaping products, these issues are showing up in patients that exclusively use nicotine products. It appears that this vaping illness stems from a variety of sources.
Recently, some medical professionals have cited some of these cases as “Lipoid Pneumonia”. This condition is caused when certain lipids enter the lungs, causing them to become inflamed. Said lipids can be found in certain vape juices/cartridges. Another case involves Anthony Mayo of Pennsylvania. A teen who has a buildup in his lungs composed completely of hardened vaping oils. It reportedly looks like “solid grease”. This has given him the “lungs of a 70-year-old lifetime heavy smoker. As of September 19th 2019, the FDA has launched a criminal probe into the various corporations responsible for electronic cigarettes and associated vaping products. This probe is a developing story, and it is certain that more information will be released in the coming weeks. Regardless of the exact outcome, this is likely to have massive ramifications on the industry.
