Impact Of E-Cigarettes On The Lungs
Smoking has been part of society’s growth according to Vape industry experts. As people cope up with everyday stress in different forms, cigarettes will always be a hot commodity. With the emergence of e-cigarettes and vaping, the popularity of tobacco products seemed to decrease.
This can also be attributed to the countless organizations’ discouragement due to the obvious health hazards. However, e-cigarettes might be just a slight improvement and their impacts on human lungs’ health are yet to be realized.
How E-Cigarettes Work
Compared to conventional cigarettes, the e-cigarettes use liquid instead of solid, hashed tobacco. This vape liquid is boiled using a device with the help of electricity from a battery. As this liquid turns to vapor, the user can inhale and savor it.
Impact Of E-Cigarettes On Lungs According To Studies
According To NASEM
Last January of 2018, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, or NASEM, has published a report about the review done on around 800 various studies regarding e-cigarettes. In that said report, it is made clear that e-cigarettes can cause health risks.
The conclusion is that these tobacco substitutes contain and even emit plenty of hypothetically toxic substances. The NASEM’s report states that there is ample evidence indicating young people who vape have an increased risk for wheezing, coughing, and asthma attacks. According To The University Of North Carolina
In a study conducted by the University of North Carolina, 2 main ingredients can be found in e-cigarettes that seem harmful: vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol. Both are said to be toxic to human cells. The greater are their quantities in a vape liquid, the higher is the toxicity.
E-cigarettes are reported to produce many dangerous chemicals such as acrolein, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde. These chemicals can cause lung disease and cardiovascular disease. The acrolein in e-cigarettes is an herbicide used primarily for killing weeds. If inhaled, it will cause acute lung injury, COPD, asthma, and even lung cancer.
According To The US Surgeon General
The US Surgeon General seconded the reports from NASEM about e-cigarettes. It is even pointed out that there can be risks in inhaling secondhand emissions. These emissions are created as the user exhales the vapor inhaled from e-cigarettes.
Furthermore, the Surgeon General concludes that secondhand emissions comprise the following: ultrafine particles, nicotine, flavorings like diacetyl (a chemical connected to severe lung disease), volatile organic compounds like benzene (a chemical found in most car exhaust), and heavy metals like lead, nickel, and tin.
According To FDA
For the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is no solid proof that e-cigarettes are safe alternatives to conventional tobacco products and effective encouragement to quit. Instead of turning to vape, FDA encourages more approved treatments and counseling.
Conclusion
Some people might be in a state of denial, but vaping is questionable to one’s health. The fact that foreign chemicals in the gaseous state are introduced to the lungs to mimic the effects of smoking is enough proof. Although no reports have been made yet about persons who died due to vaping, it doesn’t hurt to be more cautious.
