Vapers are being warned that E-cigs contain thousands of chemicals that could harm health, warns new research.<\/p>\n
They include potentially toxic industrial substances and caffeine - to provide an extra kick.<\/p>\n
The compounds are undisclosed by manufacturers - and not found in traditional cigarettes.<\/p>\n
Scientists analysed four popular tobacco flavoured liquids including Mi-Salt, Vuse, Juul and Blu.<\/p>\n
They identified the unique 'fingerprints' of almost 2,000 chemicals using a state of the art scanning technique.<\/p>\n
Six were possibly harmful - including three never previously found in e-gigs. The vast majority were unidentified.<\/p>\n
Alarmingly, hydrocarbon-like compounds were detected - typically associated with combustion - which manufacturers say is not happening.<\/p>\n
In traditional cigarettes, the condensed hydrocarbons generated during combustion are toxic.<\/p>\n
Lead author Dr Mina Tehrani said: \"One of the main ways electronic cigarettes have been marketed is they operate at temperatures below combustion, which would make them safer than traditional smoking.<\/p>\n
\"Our study shows this novel fingerprinting approach can be applied to assess whether combustion-like processes are going on.\"<\/p>\n
She was particularly surprised to find caffeine in two of the four products.<\/p>\n
The stimulant has previously only been found in e-cig liquid flavours like coffee and chocolate.<\/p>\n
Dr Tehrani said: \"That might be giving smokers an extra kick that is not disclosed. We wonder if they are adding it intentionally.\"<\/p>\n
Three industrial chemicals, a pesticide and two flavourings linked with possible toxic effects and respiratory irritation were also found.<\/p>\n
Vaping products come in hundreds of flavours ranging from fruits, vanilla, and custard to bubblegum - and even donuts.<\/p>\n
Senior author Dr Carsten Prasse said: \"People just need to know that they're inhaling a very complex mixture of chemicals when they vape.<\/p>\n
\"And for a lot of these compounds we have no idea what they actually are.\"<\/p>\n
It has particular implications for teenagers who believe e-cigs are a safer option than smoking tobacco.<\/p>\n
In the UK, more than one in three 15 year-olds have used the devices despite the fact it is illegal to sell them to under-18s.<\/p>\n
The team at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, applied an advanced technique used to check organic compounds in food, wastewater and blood.<\/p>\n
It found vaping could have adverse health effects - and the risks are yet to be fully determined.<\/p>\n
Dr Prasse said: \"Existing research that compared e-cigarettes with normal cigarettes found cigarette contaminants are much lower in e-cigarettes.<\/p>\n
\"The problem is e-cigarette aerosols contain other completely uncharacterised chemicals that might have health risks that we don't yet know about.<\/p>\n
\"More and more young people are using these e-cigarettes and they need to know what theyre being exposed to.\"<\/p>\n
Previous studies have looked specifically for evidence of the hazardous chemicals found in traditional cigarettes.<\/p>\n
Dr Prasse became interested in e-cigs after his cousin, a former smoker, started vaping, insisting it was healthy. He plans to send him the findings.<\/p>\n
He said: \"I have a problem with how vaping is being marketed as more healthy than smoking cigarettes.<\/p>\n
\"In my opinion we are just not at the point when we can really say that.\"<\/p>\n
Co author Dr Ana Rule, an expert in metals exposures from vaping, says young people aren't making a healthier choice - only a risky one.<\/p>\n
She said: \"There are millions of middle school and high-school students vaping that would not otherwise think of smoking. For them there is no risk reduction - only increased risk.\"<\/p>\n
Last year University of Bristol researchers found teenagers who use e-cigs are nearly five times more likely to smoke tobacco later in life.<\/p>\n
Public Health England has repeatedly endorsed the devices. But other experts are worried about safety concerns and their use by young people.<\/p>\n
It is estimated one in nine children aged 11 to 17 in the UK has tried vaping.<\/p>\n
Vaping has been linked to 200 health problems including heart disease and pneumonia.<\/p>\n
In August another US team found vaping just once can damage cells - increasing the risk of cancer and other life threatening illnesses.<\/p>\n
The latest study is in Chemical Research in Toxicology.<\/p>\n
For more stories from where you live, visit InYourArea. <\/p>\n
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Originally posted here:<\/p>\n
Vape fluid 'contains thousands of chemicals that could harm health' - Wales Online<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Vapers are being warned that E-cigs contain thousands of chemicals that could harm health, warns new research. They include potentially toxic industrial substances and caffeine - to provide an extra kick. The compounds are undisclosed by manufacturers - and not found in traditional cigarettes. Continue reading