Over recent years, vaping has become known for being a ‘safe’ alternative to smoking cigarettes. The battery operated device can look like a real cigarette or pen, depending on which one you buy (there are hundreds of different brands). However, there hasn’t been much data collected to fully assert the notion that they are in fact safer. What we do know is what goes in them and how they work. So here are a few points to consider before turning to these alternative cigarettes.
How They Work
There are a variety of different types of vapes that one can choose from. The most common out of the group is the pen-shaped rechargeable devices that have a refillable tank which holds a nicotine-laced liquid flavor compound. Essentially, it’s the liquid that’s being inhaled. It’s vaporized, not burned, by a heating element in the pen and produces an aerosol which can deliver nicotine to the user. Sounds neat right? However, although many assume that e-cigarettes are less toxic than your usual cancer stick, there just isn’t enough research done on the topic to wholeheartedly back that up.
One of the main reasons that people are drawn to vaping is the array of flavors that can be used. Not only do these e-cigarettes pose as safer alternatives, they also give smokers a sweet departure from the old cigarette taste. The FDA has approved these flavors as safe for consumption, yet the environment in the stomach is far different than the lungs.
How Are They Used
Some e-cigs can be adjusted to deliver more vapor and provide stronger hits. When an e-cig liquid or juice is heated, a group of compounds known as carbonyls is produced, such as formaldehyde and acrolein. There is no telling how much of these carbonyls are released because of the varying heating levels, which is why researchers have such a hard time in determining the effects. While there is plenty of research done on how a traditional cigarette is smoked, there is very little consistency when it comes to e-cigs. Sure it may be true that one puff off an e-cig is less toxic than a cigarette, yet how many puffs are the typical e-cig user taking in comparison to a traditional cigarette smoker.
The Damage
The Battery
There have been reports of e-cigs exploding. Some reports tell of them exploding in their pockets while others are in their face. What is happening is a malfunction in the battery component which can lead to burns on the hand and face, fractured bones, and even loss of eyesight. The shape of these products, especially with lithium-ion batteries, causes them to behave like rockets if a battery is to fail.
One of the main reasons for these unfortunate accidents is the fact that there are no standards being applied to the manufacturer. There are no warning labels associated with most e-cigs in which consumers are left not knowing any potential safety hazards. The batteries commonly used are small and powerful which, if they fail, can lead to disastrous results.
The Chemicals
Diacetyl, which is used in a variety of food products, is hypothesized to impair the function of immune cells within the respiratory system. Yet, in a recent experiment by the Harvard School of Public Health, the study showed that 39 out of 51 e-cigarette flavors still had traces of diacetyl which OSHA now categorizes as an “inhalation hazard”. Other chemicals contained in the liquid are a mix of propylene, glycerin, nicotine, and flavoring agents.
In another experiment, researchers and toxicologists from the University of North Carolina took tissue samples from non-smokers, cigarette smokers, and e-cig users to study the impact of vapor on immune gene function. Samples showed suppression of immune genes in the nasal mucosa for both smokers and e-cig users. However, that wasn’t all that e-cig users showed. They also displayed a suppression of additional immune genes suggesting that flavor compounds could suppress immune function more broadly than cigarettes.
The question we all need to be asking then is not whether an e-cig is safer than a traditional cigarette, but whether or not they are less dangerous. In the end, you’re still inhaling hot aerosol particles, aldehyde, and nicotine which according to Dr. Stanton Glantz, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, is “not so good.”
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
ABOUT HERRMAN & HERRMAN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
- What Are the Common Causes of Amputations and How Can I Claim for My Injuries?
- Who Pays for Damages in an Accident Caused by a Stolen Vehicle in San Antonio?
- Deaths from Running Red Lights: How to Stay Safe
- 2 Pedestrians Seriously Injured in Corpus Christi Collision
- Herniated Discs: Can They Cause Permanent Disability?
