For several weeks, health officials have been spending time looking into the mysterious vaping related illness causing several deaths across the country. Now, they feel like they may have found a clue: many of the patients were using products that contain a common contaminant -- an essential oil from Vitamin E.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the US shared the news about this contaminant during a telephone briefing with the officials of the state, according to the report by The Washington Post. Although it remains unclear if this oil derived from Vitamin E is indeed the cause of the illnesses as they say that the investigation about it is just starting, officials declare.
There were twelve nicotine samples and about eighteen THC (an active ingredient present in marijuana) samples were collected from a number of patients across the country. The Vitamin E essential oil known as the Vitamin E acetate was found present in ten out of eighteen cannabis products. However, the same tests did not find anything wrong about the nicotine samples that the patients who fell ill used, according to the health officials.
The state officials from New York found out in their separate investigation that almost all the cannabis samples that they collected from patients in their region contained the Vitamin E derived oil. This is a fact from the New York State Department and released in a statement.
Vitamin E acetate has not been classified as something dangerous. In fact, it has been approved for release and distribution as a form of nutritional supplement. Whether it is ingested or applied topically on skin for a treatment, doctors consider it medically safe. However, when it is inhaled, particularly through a vaping device, it can coat the lungs with another layer similar to that of a soot and could cause a serious health concern. It may begin like a simple cough and could immediately be elevate to chest pain and shortness of breath.
About 215 cases of people who were hospitalized were reported due to vaping and the number keeps on adding up. Some have bought the cannabis product for vaping legally while others have obtained of it from the streets. So far, the death of a patient in Illinois and another one in Oregon have both been reported for inhaling Vitamin E derived oil.
Experts continue to look into the clear connection between this Vitamin E essential oil and the deaths from cardiovascular diseases of vape users. It is extremely important that people understand the risks and the dangers that come with using e-cigarettes, so that they can make the right choice.
