Over the past decade, electronic cigarettes (also known as e-cigarettes or vape pens) have exploded in popularity. One of the primary reasons the use of these devices has increased is because they have been marketed as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, new research has called the safety of e-cigarettes into question, and in recent months, a large number of people have experienced lung injuries and diseases after using vaping devices. 

Study Links E-Cigarettes to Lung Cancer

While nicotine is the chemical in cigarettes that leads to addiction, it is generally not considered to be a carcinogen, and other substances in tobacco are believed to cause lung cancer for smokers. Because of this, e-cigarettes which are used to deliver nicotine were thought to be safer to use. However, a new study has found that inhaling e-cigarette vapor may also lead to lung cancer.

In the study, mice were exposed to e-cigarette vapor that contained nicotine for 20 hours per week over the course of 54 weeks. 22.5% of the mice developed lung cancer, and 57.5% of the mice experienced abnormal cell growth in the bladder, which is a condition that often leads to cancer. Another group of mice was exposed to e-cigarette vapor that did not contain nicotine, and none of these mice developed cancer. According to the researchers, a human who regularly used e-cigarettes for three to six years would experience a similar level of exposure to what was experienced by the mice.

Dogs can be wonderful companions. However, before anyone gets a dog, they should fully understand the liability risks dogs present and get adequate amounts of insurance as well. This is because a dog bite or attack can result in severe, permanent, and life-threatening injuries to victims. This was illustrated recently in an incident that took place in a suburb on the north side of Chicago. In September 2019, a man came to a home to provide a tree-trimming estimate, but when he got out of his truck, he was viciously attacked by the three dogs owned by the family. The man suffered severe wounds to his face, arms, and legs, and he was nearly killed.

Confusion exists about when and to what extent the dog owner is responsible in these types of tragic incidents. Is the owner liable for injuries caused by their dog even if the dog never displayed any dangerous tendencies? What if the animal was a rescue dog, and the owner was unaware of the full extent of the dog’s bite history? As a result, it is important to understand how Illinois law addresses dog bite liability in these cases.

The Illinois Animal Control Act

In some states, a dog’s owner is only liable for injuries caused by their pet if they were aware that the dog was aggressive or dangerous. The laws in these states are often called “one bite free” laws, since the owner will often not be held responsible the first time their dog bites someone. However, Illinois is not one of these states. The law in Illinois is very different, and dog owners can be liable even if their family pet has never attacked anyone.

Recently, people across the United States have begun experiencing serious lung injuries after using e-cigarettes. As of October 1, 2019, there have been more than 1,000 cases of lung disease reported, and at least 18 people have died. Officials have been investigating this outbreak, but the specific cause of these lung injuries has not yet been identified. However, new research has revealed some disturbing information about the harmful effects of e-cigarette use.

Study Compares Vaping to Poisonous Gas Exposure

While e-cigarettes are purported to be safer than traditional cigarettes, the current outbreak of lung disease indicates that the inhalation of chemicals vaporized by these devices may be dangerous. As officials work to identify the cause of these illnesses, scientists have begun studying the cases to determine the full effects of these types of injuries. After analyzing samples of lung tissue from 17 patients, researchers from the Mayo Clinic found that the damage was similar to injuries that occur following the inhalation of toxic chemicals.

The health risks associated with smoking cigarettes are well-known, and in recent years, many people have switched to using e-cigarettes, which have been promoted as a safer option. However, recent events have shown that “vaping” may also be hazardous to one’s health. People across the United States have begun experiencing lung disease after using e-cigarettes, and as of September 26, 2019, more than 800 cases of lung injury have been reported, as well as 12 deaths. Due to this outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended against using any vaping or e-cigarette products.

Potential Causes of Vaping-Related Lung Disease

So far, no exact cause of these lung injuries has been identified, and there is no single product or substance involved in every case. However, the injuries have occurred for users of both nicotine products and substances derived from marijuana, including CBD and THC. Some studies have identified multiple substances in e-cigarettes that may play a role in cases involving lung disease, including:

• Flavoring chemicals - E-cigarette liquids often come in flavored varieties. The chemicals used to provide flavoring, such as benzaldehyde or vanillin, can be toxic when they are vaporized and inhaled.
• Vitamin E acetate - This chemical has been present in may of the reported cases. While it is used safely in other products, such as nutritional supplements, it has oil-like properties that could cause damage to the lungs when inhaled.
• Nicotine - Vape products often have high levels of nicotine, which is a carcinogen. Officials have warned that nicotine in e-cigarettes could lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and seizures.
• Microscopic particles - The heating elements used in e-cigarettes may release metallic particles, which may become lodged in the lungs or absorbed into the bloodstream. This can cause damage to the lungs or heart.

It has also been suggested that even if the chemicals used in e-cigarettes are not inherently dangerous, inhalation of these chemicals in the form of vapor can be harmful. Vapor inhalation can cause inflammation of the lungs, resulting in the production of mucus and high levels of enzymes, which may lead to irreversible damage to lung tissue.

For the past several years, the popularity of e-cigarettes has been on the rise, and “vaping” has been marketed as a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, more and more information is coming out about the health hazards associated with vaping.  First, it was the numerous instances of vape devices and e-cigarettes exploding or catching on fire. Now, data and information has proven that these devices also present a serious danger to their users’ health, even when they function properly. In recent months, the number of serious or fatal cases of lung disease related to vaping has skyrocketed, and public health officials have warned against the use of e-cigarettes and vape pens.

Hundreds of Cases of Vaping-Related Lung Disease

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 380 cases of lung illness have been reported that are related to the use of e-cigarettes, and this number is expected to increase as older cases continue to be examined. These cases have spanned 33 states, as well as the U.S. Virgin Islands. So far, six people have died due to vaping-related lung disease, with the first death being reported in Illinois in August of 2019.

Vaping devices are manufactured by numerous different companies. One popular brand is Juul. This brand has specifically marketed their devices to kids, offers eight different flavors with varying amounts of nicotine strength, and claim they are the safe alternative to cigarettes. However, experts say that one Juul pod delivers the same amount of nicotine to the body as a pack of cigarettes. As a result, after long term usage or even short term usage, e-cigarette users have experienced serious respiratory symptoms, including shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, and fatigue, as well as related symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. The issue has affected people using a wide variety of vaping products, including those containing nicotine and cannabis-derived substances such as THC or CBD.