Vaping is an incredibly rapid growing trend happening all over the world. However, much like cigarettes were in the early 1800s, the e-cigarette's health risks aren't fully understood.
But as of late, the dangers are becoming more and more evident as more and more people are dying due to mysterious, vape-related lung disease. The most recent death was confirmed in Kansas and marked the sixth such death in the US and the first in the state.
The victim was middle-aged, around 50 years old, with a record of underlying health issues, state health officials said in a news release. Once the individual was hospitalized the symptoms were said to have "progressed rapidly".
Although there is a national investigation currently ongoing, health officials have yet to specify just what products may be causing this illness. Many patients, however, have reported using THC type liquids, investigators are currently investigating whether or not these cannabinoid products are contaminated.
Of the six reported deaths, four have been amongst the middle-aged or older age range. As recent as last week, officials from Minnesota, as well as Los Angeles county, have reported similar deaths, with the Minnesota victim being reported as 65 years old.
Minnesota health officials said the individual was hospitalized with a severe lung disease which, just like the individual in Kansas, progressed quickly and the patient passed away after a few weeks. The officials stated that the injury was associated with vaping illicit THC products.
Other states such as Oregon, Illinois and Indiana have also reported deaths that were found to be linked to the use of THC-based vaping products.
State and federal officials are focusing their respective investigations on possible contaminants found in these products. Primarily Vitamin E acetate and oil that is derived from vitamin E and can be found in most cannabinoid products.
Investigators working with the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, have found traces of the derivative in cases all across the country. A number that is now at least 450 possible cases spread across 33 states.
New York has recently filed for legal action against three companies that produce these products, after traces of the oil were found in nearly every case of the illness.
