what is vitamin e acetate used for 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.

Full Answer

What is vitamin E acetate and what is it used for?

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.

Is there vitamin E acetate in marijuana vape products?

New York health officials found Vitamin E acetate in nearly all of the marijuana vape products, including the ones pictured above, used by patients who recently suffered severe lung illnesses after vaping. Health officials investigating the various severe lung disease cases tied to vaping e-cigarettes have honed in on a form of vitamin E.

Can vape additives like vitamin E acetate cause lung disease?

With a lack of tangible data, it is possible that vitamin E acetate and other vape additives found in THC carts — like the ones that are the only common denominator in the current outbreak of lung illnesses — may break down into toxic chemicals that can cause irreparable lung damage.

Is vitamin E acetate the root cause of evali?

Research into the root cause of EVALI is ongoing but the CDC has finally identified a proper suspect, vitamin E acetate. This chemical has shown a clear presence in the majority of EVALI patient lung fluid samples, and its usage as an additive in illicit vaping products agrees with the timeline of the epidemic.

What does smoking vitamin E acetate do?

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 vitamin E acetate still used in Vapes?

Vitamin E acetate is used as an additive in e-cigarettes and vaping products because it resembles THC oil.

What happens if you vape vitamin E oil?

Vitamin E acetate, an additive in some THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products, has been strongly linked to e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) outbreaks, according to the CDC.

Is vitamin E acetate 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.

How do lungs heal from vaping?

However, there are certain lifestyle behaviors you can practice to try and accelerate the rate at which your lungs heal.Drink Lots Of Water. ... Eat Healthy Foods. ... Exercise Regularly. ... Cough. ... Clean Your Living Space. ... Practice Deep Breathing. ... Try Steam Therapy.

Does CBD vape affect lungs?

It's unclear how many of those injuries were related to CBD-only products. But it is known that 214 of the reported lung injuries were in people who used CBD combined with either THC or nicotine, and that 16 of those were in children under 18.

Are vitamin Vapes good for you?

The FDA is warning consumer and cracking down on manufacturers who sell vitamin vapes. They note, Some vaping products are being illegally offered for sale with unproven health or wellness claims, including improving mental clarity or treating tumors or asthma.

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.

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 is the safest vape to use?

If you are looking for the safest vape kit then you might want to consider disposables or pod kits. These are often low powered and have safety cuts offs as well as other features to prevent them from overheating. Not only as disposables one of the safest vape kits, but they are also super easy to use.

Is vaping 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 are the harmful chemicals in Vapes?

Besides nicotine, e-cigarettes can contain harmful and potentially harmful ingredients, including:ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.flavorants such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease.volatile organic compounds.heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.

Do nicotine Vapes contain vitamin E?

In our study, Vitamin E Acetate was not detected above detection limit (0.159 µg/mL) in any nicotine containing vaping liquids analyzed. Two diluents of concern-Vitamin E Acetate and medium chain triglycerides, were analyzed as pure substances in order to better characterize their emissions.

Does VUSE Alto have vitamin E acetate?

Ingredients We don't add THC or Vitamin E Acetate to Vuse eLiquids.

What is the safest vape to use?

If you are looking for the safest vape kit then you might want to consider disposables or pod kits. These are often low powered and have safety cuts offs as well as other features to prevent them from overheating. Not only as disposables one of the safest vape kits, but they are also super easy to use.

Does Stiiizy have vitamin E acetate?

We also maintain the highest quality by only using the purest cannabis extracts and botanical terpenes. We do not add “fillers' ' such as vitamin E acetates to our products.

What is vitamin E acetate?

What exactly is vitamin E acetate? Vitamin E is a well-known antioxidant that occurs naturally in vegetables, vegetable oils, seeds, and fruits. Specifically, vitamin E refers to a group of 8 isoprenoid molecules known as tocochromanols.

What is the toxic gas produced by vaping?

It has been proposed that vaping induced pyrolysis of vitamin E acetate may produce a highly toxic gas called ketene. 12 Inhalation of ketene can cause severe lung damage in low concentrations and death in high concentrations. 13.

How does vaping affect public health?

Concerns over the impacts of vaping on public health have been steadily growing over the last decade. However, it wasn’t until August 2019 when the issue took center stage as the first vaping-linked death was reported in Illinois. This would be the first of many deaths that would ultimately be linked to an outbreak of a vaping related illness that the CDC has termed EVALI (electronic-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury). 1 This may not come as too much of a surprise as vaping related illnesses have been reported for years. 2 But this is something different. EVALI isn’t simply an adverse health effect from vaping. It’s an acute lung illness that has spread rapidly across the country, affecting mostly young adults with a median age of 24 years old. 3

How many deaths from vaping in 2020?

3. As of January 7, 2020 there have been 2,602 cases and 57 deaths linked to EVALI in the U.S. and surrounding territories.

Can vitamin E cause lung damage?

In fact, some experts argue that it’s unlikely vitamin E acetate alone could cause the severe lung damage associated with EVALI. 11 The question of vitamin E acetate toxicity may be linked to the vaping device itself.

Is evali a form of PS?

Still, the EVALI mystery may be more complex than disruption of PS alone. Though initial reports presented EVALI as a form of lipoid pneumonia, later studies of EVALI patient lung scans showed signs that were more consistent with inhalation of toxic chemicals. In fact, some experts argue that it’s unlikely vitamin E acetate alone could cause the severe lung damage associated with EVALI. 11 The question of vitamin E acetate toxicity may be linked to the vaping device itself. Experts argue the high temperatures achieved by vaping and e-cigarette devices serve as a catalyst for unpredictable chemistries in the vaping mixture. Such temperatures would lead to pyrolysis, or thermal decomposition, of molecules into potentially more hazardous chemicals. In fact, scientists suggest vaping devices can be considered crude and uncontrollable mini-pyrolysis devices which are being used to inhale decomposed chemical compounds from unknown mixtures. It has been proposed that vaping induced pyrolysis of vitamin E acetate may produce a highly toxic gas called ketene. 12 Inhalation of ketene can cause severe lung damage in low concentrations and death in high concentrations. 13

Does vitamin E affect lungs?

Vitamin E acetate and your lungs. One of the proposed mechanisms for EVALI associated lung damage is the potential interaction of vitamin E with pulmonary surfactant (PS) in your lungs. PS is a phospholipid layer that lines the tiny air sacs in your lungs. These air sacs, known as alveoli, allow your bloodstream to exchange carbon dioxide ...

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].

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.

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].

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]

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.

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.

What is vitamin E acetate used for?

And vitamin E acetate has reportedly been used as a cheap cutting agent by illicit cannabis suppliers.

What is the culprit in vaping?

Vitamin E acetate is a key culprit in the vaping illness outbreak. The sticky chemical has been found in samples taken from people who got sick or died from vaping-related illness. By Julia Belluz @juliaoftoronto Nov 11, 2019, 10:30am EST. Share this story.

Is there direct evidence of vitamin E acetate in the lungs?

But Schuchat also emphasized the CDC’s investigation isn’t over: Officials still can’ t say for sure that vitamin E acetate is the source of harm in all cases.

Does a medical grade product have to be tested for pesticides?

But only medical-grade products are also tested for pesticides and heavy metals. The list of tests also doesn’t include checking for chemicals, such as vitamin E acetate, that have emerged as a health threat.

Is it safe to inhale vitamin E?

The chemical is a synthetic form of vitamin E, and it’s used — safely — in nutritional supplements and skin creams. But it isn’t safe to inhale. Sticky and honey-like, it can hang around in the lungs, health officials said, interfering with how they function. Samples taken from 29 patients in 10 states, for a CDC Mortality and Morbidity Weekly report released Friday, found the chemical in all samples, while other potential toxins — such as plant and mineral oils — weren’t. It’s “direct evidence of vitamin E acetate at the primary site of injury within the lungs,” Schuchat said.

What is Vitamin E Acetate?

Vitamin E is a nutrient that dissolves in fat, found in a wide variety of foods including vegetables and other oils, fruit juices, green vegetables, cereals, eggs, nuts, meat and poultry. It's also commonly taken as a supplement.

How many people died from vaping in New York?

These vapes were identified by the New York State Department of Health as part of 34 cases of severe pulmonary illnesses in the state, among 380 confirmed and probable cases, with six patients dying, throughout the U.S. Health officials are looking into vitamin E acetate and its link to the illnesses.

Is vitamin E acetate harmful?

The short answer: Doctors are still unsure of the cause and the CDC investigation is still ongoing. In the meantime, consumers should know more about vitamin E acetate and other potentially harmful additives and cutting agents.

Can you vape off the street?

Those who have vaped products associated with the illnesses reported dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath, symptoms of acute lipoid pneumonia. Public health officials have warned against purchasing vape pens off the street. The New York Department of Health (NYDOH) found that many of these products contained vitamin E acetate.

Is vitamin E acetate produced by plants?

It is not produced by plants or animals. “There is very little toxicological and safety data available for the inhalation of [vitamin E acetate]. Aside from use in some hairsprays with no apparent effect, there appears to be little else.”. Raber said.

Is vitamin E safe to eat?

Furthermore, the FDA only approved vitamin E as safe when eaten, with an understandable lack of foresight that people would be breathing it in. Vitamin E acetate, suspected by public health officials in several vape-related respiratory illnesses, is used as an anti-oxidizing and spoilage-preventing additive in foods.

Is vaping a respiratory disease?

After more than a thousand respiratory illnesses throughout the United States were linked to nicotine and cannabis vaping products, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched an investigation into the cause of the issue.

WHAT IS VITAMIN E ACETATE?

Vitamin E acetate is commonly found in skin care products and dietary supplements. It is also known as Alpha-tocopheryl acetate, tocopheryl acetate and tocopherol acetate.

Does vaping contain vitamin E?

New York health officials found Vitamin E acetate in nearly all of the marijuana vape products, including the ones pictured above, used by patients who recently suffered severe lung illnesses after vaping.

What is vitamin E acetate?

Vitamin E acetate is used as an additive, most notably in THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products. Vitamin E is a vitamin found in many foods, including vegetable oils, cereals, meat, fruits, and vegetables. It is also available as a dietary supplement and in many cosmetic products, like skin creams.

What is an e-cigarette?

Using an e-cigarette is commonly called vaping. E-cigarettes work by heating a liquid to produce an aerosol that users inhale into their lungs.

How to contact CDC about e-cigarettes?

If you have questions about CDC’s investigation into the lung injuries associated with use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products, contact CDC-INFO or call 1-800-232-4636.

Is vitamin E acetate linked to the eli outbreak?

Vitamin E acetate is strongly linked to the EVALI outbreak. Vitamin E acetate has been found in product samples tested by FDA and state laboratories and in patient lung fluid samples tested by CDC from geographically diverse states. Vitamin E acetate has not been found in the lung fluid of people that do not have EVALI.

When is the next vaping hospital admission?

Dates of symptom onset and hospital admission for patients with lung injury associated with e-cigarette use, or vaping — United States, March 31, 2019–February 15, 2020. Numbers do not sum to 2,807 due to missing admission dates.

When will vaping peak?

Emergency department (ED) visits related to e-cigarette, or vaping, products continue to decline, after sharply increasing in August 2019 and peaking in September.

Who monitors e-cigarettes?

CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), state and local health departments, and other clinical and public health partners are continuing to monitor e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI).