Bronchiolitis obliterans, a non-reversible lung disease which can be caused by inhaling airborne diacetyl, a chemical used to produce the artificial butter flavouring in many foods, especially popcorn.
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Joseph Allen led the study and revealed the chemicals are also found in some alcohol and fruit flavours, as well as butter-popcorn.
You will recall that Diacetyl, the chemical used to give microwave popcorn a butter flavor, was in the news for the wrong reasons a few years ago because it was linked to bronchiolitis obliterans, colloquially termed “Popcorn Lung”, a debilitating respiratory disease.
Researchers say this show that there is more to be learned about the dangers of e-cigarettes.
Earlier this month, it was announced that the NHS would be proving free e-cigarettes to smokers struggling to quit.
The study also found two related, potentially harmful compounds in numerous tested flavors.
Now, there are about 500 e-cigarette brands and more than 7,000 flavors.
The test saw e-cigarettes discharged for eight seconds at a time inside a sealed chamber, and the vapour emitted was analysed.
Makers of e-cigarettes claim their products are far safer than burnt tobacco products, but a study published Tuesday shows that may not always be true. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has found 2,3 pentanedione can cause lung and brain damage in rats. Another of Allen’s concerns is that numerous e-cigarette flavors in which the chemicals were found to be present are likely to be appealing to children. Currently, e-cigarettes are not regulated, but the FDA proposed to have them under the section that includes tobacco and nicotine products. In all, one or more of the three chemicals was found in 47 of the 51 tested flavours.
Until this proposal is passed, there remains a need for researchers to investigate e-cigarettes, to ensure that this valuable tool for smoking cessation can be made as safe as possible.
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Diacetyl appeared in 39 flavors, compared to 46 flavors containing acetoin and 23 flavors containing 2,3-pentanedione. As a community of leading scientists, educators, and students, we work together to take innovative ideas from the laboratory to people’s lives-not only making scientific breakthroughs, but also working to change individual behaviors, public policies, and health care practices.
