VapingFruit

Is Vaping Healthy?

Two years ago, I wrote this about vaping’s potential negative effects: “We won’t know how harmful it is for years, possibly decades, when those who began vaping years ago are tested and found to have higher rates of lung disorders.”

I was wrong; we’re seeing serious lung issues now and even a few deaths. Reports of respiratory illnesses include pneumonia and asthma-like symptoms that impede breathing. Another issue appears to be seizures in some cases. The problem is that no one can identify what’s causing the problem.

One cause might be heavy metals that are aerosolized from the vaping devices as well as metal juice cartridges such as chromium, nickel, and lead. They may be irritants to lung tissue. Lead could also explain seizures in some vapers.

I think that the juices targeting young vapers could be a major source of contaminants. Juices may be natural or synthetically produced, and we might point the finger at synthetic flavors. However, there’s no research on what incinerating natural juices would produce. Phytonutrients are meant to be eaten; what could happen to them when they’re burned? They may end up being toxic due to the change in chemical structure caused by exceeding normal cooking temperatures.

There are still other possibilities so I’ll finish this up on Saturday.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet