CDC identifies vitamin E acetate as a cause for some vaping lung injuries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified a potential common link behind the outbreak of lung injuries caused by vaping: vitamin E acetate.

The outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping associated lung injury, dubbed EVALI by the agency, is now responsible for 47 deaths in 25 states, and 2,290 cases as of Nov. 20. Every state except Alaska has reported the illness as well as the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In Mississippi, 10 cases have been reported and one person has died.

Recent CDC laboratory test results of fluid samples from 29 patients from 10 states found vitamin E acetate in all the samples.

“This is the first time that we have detected a chemical of concern in biologic samples from patients with these lung injuries,” the CDC wrote on its website. “These findings provide direct evidence of vitamin E acetate at the primary site of injury within the lungs in all the samples.”

Vitamin E acetate is used as an additive, most notably as a thickening agent in THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products. It usually does not cause harm when ingested as a vitamin supplement or applied to the skin. However, previous research suggests when vitamin E acetate is inhaled, it may interfere with normal lung functioning, the CDC states.

While it appears that vitamin E acetate is associated with EVALI, evidence is not yet sufficient to rule out other chemicals of concern. Many different substances and product sources are still under investigation, and it may be that there is more than one cause of this outbreak.

The only way to assure that you are not at risk while the investigation continues is to refrain from using any vaping products.

For more information, visit the CDC website.