Vaping FAQs

can vaping vitamin e be toxic

by Ms. Yasmine Erdman DDS Published 1 year ago Updated 1 year ago
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In this research, a combined analytical, theoretical, and experimental study has shown that the vaping of vitamin E acetate has the potential to produce exceptionally toxic ketene gas, which may be a contributing factor to the upsurge in lung injuries associated with vaping products.

Full Answer

Is vitamin E acetate safe to vape?

The CDC identified it as a “chemical of concern” among people with vaping-associated lung injuries. They recommend avoiding any vaping product containing Vitamin E acetate or THC, particularly those from informal sources like friends, family, or in-person or online dealers. Vaping is now more popular among teens than smoking traditional cigarettes.

Are there any harmful chemicals in vape pens?

One harmful chemical may be a thickening agent called Vitamin E acetate, which is sometimes used as an additive in THC-containing vape products. The CDC identified it as a “chemical of concern” among people with vaping-associated lung injuries.

Is vaping bad for You?

You’ve probably heard a lot about vaping lately. You might also know about the recent outbreak of lung injuries and deaths linked to vaping in the U.S. But those aren’t the only risks that come with vaping. Here’s what you need to know.

What is vitamin E toxicity?

In this case, it’s known as vitamin E overdose, or vitamin E toxicity. This article reviews vitamin E toxicity, including its symptoms and side effects, as well as how to treat and prevent it. What is vitamin E toxicity?

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What does vaping vitamin E do to your lungs?

Now, researchers reporting in ACS' Chemical Research in Toxicology have uncovered a possible mechanism: Vitamin E acetate could increase the fluidity of lung surfactant, causing the surfactant layer to collapse, contributing to symptoms such as shortness of breath and lung inflammation.

Is e vaping harmful?

However, e-cigarette aerosol is not harmless. It can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including nicotine, heavy metals like lead, volatile organic compounds, and cancer-causing agents.

Can we inhale vitamin E?

Vitamin E acetate isn't necessarily harmful when ingested as a supplement or applied to the skin via a cream, but studies have shown it can cause harm when inhaled.

Why is vitamin E added to vaping products?

Medium chain triglycerides and vitamin E acetate are, reportedly, added to the vaping products in order to dilute the illicit THC-containing liquids and lower their costs.

What are 5 dangers of vaping?

Vaping has been linked to lung injury.Rapid onset of coughing.Breathing difficulties.Weight loss.Nausea and vomiting.Diarrhea.

Is vaping really worse than smoking?

1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.

What happens if you smoke vitamin E?

It has been proposed that vaping induced pyrolysis of vitamin E acetate may produce a highly toxic gas called ketene. Inhalation of ketene can cause severe lung damage in low concentrations and death in high concentrations.

Is vitamin E in Juul?

Vitamin E And E-Cigarettes According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials, vitamin E acetate, an additive sometimes used in THC and other vaping products, may be to blame for a national outbreak of e-cigarette-related lung injuries that's linked to dozens of deaths.

What does vitamin E vape taste like?

“It had no taste, smell, odor, and blended perfectly. It appeared to be the perfect solution to a health-conscious client base who wanted to stay away from chemicals,” Jones tells Inverse. “No one would have thought that a regulated vitamin that has been vaped for years could have potentially caused these issues.

Do nicotine Vapes have vitamin E?

Vitamin E acetate is used as an additive, most notably in THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products.

What can vaping do to your lungs?

Vaping-related lipoid pneumonia is the result of inhaling oily substances found in e-liquid, which sparks an inflammatory response in the lungs....Vaping-Related Lipoid PneumoniaChronic cough.Shortness of breath.Coughing up blood or blood-tinged mucus.

Is vitamin E acetate toxic?

In this research, a combined analytical, theoretical, and experimental study has shown that the vaping of vitamin E acetate has the potential to produce exceptionally toxic ketene gas, which may be a contributing factor to the upsurge in lung injuries associated with vaping products.

What are 3 harmful effects of vaping?

The most commonly-reported adverse effects were throat/mouth irritation, headache, cough, and nausea, which tended to dissipate with continued use.

What does vaping do to your brain?

The majority of vape liquids contain nicotine. In addition to being highly addictive, nicotine alters the neurotransmitters in the brain. It has been found to slow brain development in teens and affect memory, decision-making, concentration, self-control, and mood.

How much vaping is too much?

Even today, many high-profile sources list the toxic dose of nicotine (the LD50 – or the dose that will kill about half of people exposed) as between 30 and 60 mg. To put this in context of vaping, this would be about 4 ml of 12 mg/ml e-liquid. d.

What are the benefits of vape?

Benefits of vaping Vaping can help some people quit smoking. Vaping is usually cheaper than smoking. Vaping is not harmless, but it is much less harmful than smoking. Vaping is less harmful to those around you than smoking, as there's no current evidence that second-hand vapour is dangerous to others.

How many deaths from vaping in 2019?

As of November 13, 2019, there were 2,172 confirmed and probable lung injury cases "associated with the use of e-cigarette or vaping, products as reported by 49 states (all except Alaska), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands as reported by the CDC. 42 deaths have been confirmed in 24 states and the District of Columbia: Alabama, California (4), Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia (3), Illinois (4), Indiana (4), Kansas (2), Massachusetts (2), Michigan, Minnesota (3), Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon (2), Pennsylvania, Tennessee (2), Texas, Utah, and Virginia" [21].  Vaping, may also have harmful psychological effects with a strong association between vaping, major depression and suicidal behavior as reported in a large new study [22]. The likely contributing culprit, nicotine. Prevalence of lung disease attributable to vaping is likely under reported as cases brought to the CDC are some of the most severe. For now EVALI remains a diagnosis that is made after exclusion of other conditions and needs to be reported to the CDC.

What are the ingredients in vape?

The ingredients of vape that are suspected of contributing to the development of vaping-related illnesses are THC and vitamin E acetate. THC is an ingredient used in many vape products, and many patients experiencing vape-related complications have admitted to using THC-containing products in the past, leading the FDA to believe that THC may play a role in the vape-related illness outbreak. The FDA has issued a public warning to stop using THC-containing vape products, as the compound may be contributing to lung illnesses related to vaping. Specifically, vitamin E acetate is most commonly used as an additive in THC-containing vape/e-cigarette products; vitamin E acetate is an oily chemical added to THC vaping liquids used to thicken or dilute them. A vape-related injury concerning a teenage boy in Canada has recently gained the media’s attention as well. The 17-year-old boy vaped “intensively,” adding THC to his devices. He initially showed symptoms aligning with bronchiolitis (lung condition normally caused by a bacterial or viral infection), but many patients that have vape-related illnesses in the United States have experienced damage to the alveoli; this type of injury was not found. Instead, his case aligned more with an injury called “popcorn lung,” an ailment most commonly seen in factory workers of microwave popcorn plants nearly 20 years ago. This new vape-related case calls for further exploration into the toxicity of vape liquid, as the patient’s condition could have been caused by the THC added to the vaping devices, or the chemical that affected factory workers in the past - diacetyl. Diacetyl is present in many e-cigarette flavors [14]. The American Lung Association has called for the FDA to require that diacetyl and other hazardous chemicals be removed from e-cigarette cartridges.

What is the purpose of vaping?

Vaping was initially marketed as a smoking cessation aid to help with cessation of cigarette smoking. E-cigarettes first took public attention in the mass media for unexpectedly blowing up, causing burns and severe facial damage [6]. In the past decade, a number of alternative vaping products have rapidly gained consumer demand, especially in, adolescents, due to the belief that they are much safer (lower nicotine content) than traditional cigarettes, choice of advertisements different flavors and ease of access to electronic nicotine delivery systems (such as e-cigarettes and vape pens). Except for menthol, the use of flavor additives has been banned from traditional cigarettes, whereas e-cigarettes are marketed in over 7,000 different flavors. Many of those flavors are found in candy and popular soft drinks and, because adolescents are familiar with such flavors, e-cigarettes are appealing to them. Tobacco smoking is associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction in a causative and dose-dependent manner [7]. Data from 5,400 smokers and 2,025 former smokers have found that the average number of cigarettes smoked per day by people who regularly used e-cigarettes fell by 4.4 over about two years, compared with only 2.7 for those who did not use e-cigarettes. Sixty-seven percent more e-cigarette users than non-users quit smoking altogether. However, there were 70% more relapses among former smokers who used e-cigarettes than among those who did not use the devices [8].

When were electronic cigarettes invented?

Electronic cigarettes were first developed in China in the early 2000s and introduced to the US market in 2007 [5]. In the US, the product experienced explosive growth, with the number of electronic cigarette users doubling every year between 2008 and 2012. While traditional cigarettes are smoked through combustion, e-cigarettes are "vaped," and the resultant aerosols potentially contain a reduced number of potentially toxic chemicals, such as nicotine and flavorings such as diacetyl and cinnamaldehyde, as well as byproducts such as formaldehyde and acrolein caused by the potential overheating of propylene glycol, and glycerin.

Does vaping affect the lungs?

The evidence on how vitamin E acetate affects the lungs of vape users is notable because vitamin E acetate has been acknowledged as a majorly harmful chemical that may be contributing to vape-related illnesses and deaths. Lung scans have revealed different outlines of lung parenchyma suggesting possible different processes in injury. One pattern points to lipoid pneumonia which can occur with lipid containing ingredients or oils aerosolized into the airways causing inflammation and compromised function [17]. The respiratory epithelium has a complicated network of extracellular membranes essential for breathing and survival. Surfactant membranes form a stable monolayer at the air-liquid interface, reducing the surface tension at the air-liquid interface, therefore stabilizing the lung against collapse and helping lungs expand. Oil in the lung interferes with this ordered/disordered lipid phase coexistence in lung surfactant with alterations in phase coexistence [18]. The American Medical Association has made calls for a ban on vaping products, and Washington state has now banned vape products containing vitamin E acetate, thought to be linked to illness [19-20]. Although the substance is not banned in the United States and has not been officially declared as a deadly substance, many states are making advances to ban the use of the chemical in vape products. States like Massachusetts are considering a ban on flavored tobacco and vape products, and in New York, Manhattan is expected to become the largest city to ban all vaping flavors except tobacco. Other states that have already banned the use of vitamin E acetate in vape products include Colorado and Ohio. Greater public awareness of this deadly condition helps with implementing comprehensive, population-based interventions for this preventable disease.

Is vaping dangerous?

CDC has detected vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern among people with the lung injury. Vitamin E acetate is a condensing agent in vaping products, and all injured lung fluid samples appear to harbor this agent. The mysterious outbreak is identified in individuals vaping within the 90 days, ranging over a few days to developing over several weeks. There is growing evidence that vaping is hazardous to your health including immediate health dangers such as death from respiratory causes, long term health effects, cardiovascular events, depression which increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide. This review article summarizes the growing knowledge of acute respiratory complications associated with vaping.

Does vaping cause lung injury?

The New York Times recently reported an analysis of lung fluid samples from 29 patients with vaping-related illnesses (including two who died), and the analysis suggests that vitamin E acetate is a "very strong culprit" in causing lung injuries. The lung fluid samples were collected from patients across the United States so that these findings may have implications nationwide. Moreover, Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC, explained, “For the first time, we have detected a potential toxin of concern, vitamin E acetate, from biological samples from patients… The analysis provided evidence of vitamin E acetate at the primary site of injury in the lungs” [15]. Vitamin E acetate is sticky, giving it the ability to remain in the lungs. THC was also reported to be found in 82% of samples from 28 patients, which was remarkable as THC tends to leave the lungs quickly [16].

How do I know which vapor products are free of Vitamin E Acetate?

Review products online to verify their authenticity. Ask you budtender for advice. Most vaping-related illnesses have been associated with illegal cannabis products [11]. Trust but verify, ask for proof that your product is free of contaminants.

Why would Vitamin E Acetate be in a vapor product?

Vitamin E Acetate is commonly added to food ingredients as a preservative. The antioxidant properties of Vitamin E Acetate make it useful for reducing the oxidative degradation or “browning” of foods, especially oils. Cannabis oil distillates, in particular, are susceptible to oxidative degradation, causing the oil to change color from clear or light yellow to rose or deep red. Adding Vitamin E Acetate to a cannabis oil distillate may preserve its color.

What is Vitamin E Acetate?

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant, which protects cell membranes and promotes a healthy nervous system.[1]

Does vaping affect the lungs?

Lungs. Vaporizing Vitamin E into the lungs is a relatively new behavior among Americans, and the risks associated with it are currently under intense scrutiny. In 2019, there has been a surge of vaping-related illnesses and deaths reported across the United States [ 11 ]. While the cause (s) of the illness (es) remains unknown, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are actively investigating, as are state agencies [ 12 ]. The FDA has announced they suspect Vitamin E Acetate may be the cause of vaping-related deaths. The CDC is urging Americans to only purchase vape products from trusted sources, and to consider cessation of vaping altogether.

Is vitamin E acetate a vaping drug?

The FDA has announced they suspect Vitamin E Acetate may be the cause of vaping-related deaths.

Is Vitamin E available over the counter?

Vitamin E is available over the counter at most pharmacies . Most often, it is sold as Vitamin E Acetate, and in this form it can penetrate the skin. Topical application of Vitamin E Acetate may be beneficial for wound healing and protective against ultraviolet radiation, though there is no scientific consensus for this.[2] [3]

Does Vitamin E help with Alzheimer's?

Regular consumption of Vitamin E at the recommended level has been associated with a decrease in risk for Alzheimer’s disease, cancer , and a variety of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.[6] [7] Food.

How many people use e-cigarettes?

Within a decade, millions of people were using them. A study conducted in 2016 and published last year in the Annals of Internal Health found nearly 11 million adults used e-cigarettes.

What oil did Vethanayagam inhale?

That's when Vethanayagam dug deeper into the woman's history. The woman admitted to inhaling home brews of marijuana oil made with either petroleum jelly or vitamin E oil.

Can vaping cause chest pain?

Doctors say anyone vaping who develops respiratory distress, including coughing, difficulty breathing and chest pain, should consult a clinician.

Can pods be attached to vaping devices?

Various cartridges and pods can be attached to vaping devices. Chelsea Stahl / NBC News

Is vitamin E oil safe for vaping?

Vitamin E oil has been implicated in at least one other vaping-related illness - back in 2000. But the FDA says it's too soon to rule out other contaminants.

Is vitamin E acetate in nicotine?

Vitamin E acetate was not found in the nicotine products tested.

Does vaping put you at risk?

Vaping manufacturers knowingly put you at risk

Does the FDA regulate nicotine vapes?

The FDA oversees Vitamin E acetate's usage as a supplement in lotions and regulates tobacco-related products, including nicotine vape products. Policing Vitamin E acetate's inclusion in THC-based vape products has proven to be much harder, considering the fact that marijuana regulations differ from state to state and marijuana is still banned at the federal level.

Is Vitamin E acetate still being studied?

As with most of the information regarding vaping due to its recent rise in popularity, Vitamin E acetate's role and effects are still being studied and determined. One thing is for sure, its inclusion has been somewhat of a recent addition; for example, vape cartridges studied in Minnesota in 2018 were without Vitamin E acetate, ...

Is vitamin E acetate bad for you?

Vitamin E acetate isn't necessarily harmful when ingested as a supplement or applied to the skin via a cream, but studies have shown it can cause harm when inhaled. Vitamin E in healthy doses is good for you; there's no debate there. It's a vitamin that dissolves in fat, and is naturally occurring in many of the wholesome foods you eat daily.

Is vaping addictive?

Vaping was designed to be addictive. Because of its antioxidant characteristics and capabilities, studies have shown Vitamin E's effectiveness in treating many conditions ranging from Alzheimer's to certain blood disorders, and even decreasing menstrual cramp pain.

Does Vitamin E acetate harm the skin?

Vitamin E acetate doesn't necessarily cause harm when ingested as a supplement or applied to the skin via a cream, but studies have shown it can cause harm when inhaled.

Is vitamin E acetate legal in marijuana?

Policing Vitamin E acetate's inclusion in THC-based vape products has proven to be much harder, considering the fact that marijuana regulations differ from state to state and marijuana is still banned ...

What chemicals are in vaping?

Vaping exposes the lungs to a variety of chemicals. These may include the main active chemicals in tobacco (nicotine) or marijuana (THC), flavorants, and other ingredients that are added to vaping liquids. Plus, other chemicals can be produced during the vaporizing process.

How old do you have to be to vape?

New laws are aimed at curbing vaping among teens. People must now be 21 to buy any tobacco product, including vaping products. And companies can no longer produce and sell flavors that appeal to children like fruit and mint. If you’ve already started vaping or smoking cigarettes, it’s never too late to quit.

What are vaping devices?

Vaping devices, also known as e-cigarettes, vape pens, and e-hookahs among other terms, come in many shapes and sizes. Some look like traditional cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Others are shaped like every-day objects, such as pens or USB memory sticks.

Can nicotine be inhaled in a vaporizer?

Plus, other chemicals can be produced during the vaporizing process. “If the liquid has nicotine in it, then the user is inhaling nicotine along with the other ingredients in the liquid,” explains Dr. Thomas Eissenberg, an expert on tobacco research at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Is vaping harmful?

So how safe is vaping? Studies suggest nicotine vaping may be less harmful than traditional cigarettes when people who regularly smoke switch to them as a complete replacement. But nicotine vaping could still damage your health.

Is vitamin E acetate harmful?

One harmful chemical may be a thickening agent called Vitamin E acetate, which is sometimes used as an additive in THC-containing vape products. The CDC identified it as a “chemical of concern” among people with vaping-associated lung injuries.

Is vaping more popular in high school?

Vaping is now more popular among teens than smoking traditional cigarettes. One in four high school seniors say they vaped nicotine in the past month. And studies have found that teens who vape nicotine may be more likely to go on to smoke traditional cigarettes.

What is the food additive used to deepen e-cigarette flavors?

Diacetyl: This food additive, used to deepen e-cigarette flavors, is known to damage small passageways in the lungs.

What is a vape pen?

With vaping, a device (typically a vape pen or a mod — an enhanced vape pen — that may look like a flash drive) heats up a liquid ( called vape juice or e -liquid) until it turns into a vapor that you inhale. “Vaping is a delivery system similar to a nebulizer, which people with asthma or other lung conditions may be familiar with,” says Broderick. ...

What is the chemical that can damage your lungs?

Acrolein: Most often used as a weed killer, this chemical can also damage lungs.

Is second hand vapor safe?

Secondhand Vapor Isn’t Safe Either. It’s a myth that secondhand emissions from e-cigarettes are harmless. Many people think the secondhand vapor is just water, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. The vapor emitted when someone exhales contains a variety of dangerous substances, which may include: Nicotine.

Is it safe to take vitamin E?

And, while it’s safe when taken orally as a supplement or used on the skin, it’s likely an irritant when inhaled. It’s been found in the lungs of people with severe, vaping-related damage.

Does vaping affect the lungs?

Instead of bathing lung tissue with a therapeutic mist, just as a nebulizer does, vaping coats lungs with potentially harmful chemicals. E-liquid concoctions usually include some mix of flavorings, aromatic additives and nicotine or THC (the chemical in marijuana that causes psychological effects), dissolved in an oily liquid base.

What is vitamin E toxic?

Vitamin E toxicity is when an excessive amount of vitamin E builds up in your body and causes health complications. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that functions as an antioxidant. It may decrease your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, vision problems, and brain disorders ( 1. ).

How to prevent vitamin E toxicity?

The best way to prevent vitamin E toxicity is to keep your daily intake of vitamin E — both from supplements and foods — below the UL of 1,000 mg per day.

Why do people take vitamin E?

Many people take vitamin E supplements in the hopes of improving their immune system, decreasing their risk of cancer, or strengthening their hair, skin, and nails via the vitamin’s antioxidant and potentially anti-aging effects ( 3. Trusted Source. , 4. Trusted Source. ).

How much vitamin E is in a day?

The Daily Value (DV) for vitamin E is 15 mg per day. The following foods are rich in vitamin E ( 1 ):

Is vitamin E safe for children?

Also, make sure to store these supplements in a safe place that’s out of the reach of children. Because vitamin E is fat soluble, it poses an increased risk of toxicity and complications in children. Summary.

Can vitamin E cause blood thinning?

Summary. Vitamin E overdose may cause excessive blood thinning and lead to a stroke or an increased risk of death.

Does vitamin E cause bleeding?

Side effects and symptoms. Excessive vitamin E intake can cause blood thinning and lead to fatal bleeding. It can likewise interfere with blood clotting, which is your body’s natural defense against excessive bleeding after an injury ( 1. Trusted Source.

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