Recently, studies are accumulating on the harmfulness of electronic cigarettes. This time, researchers have demonstrated its negative impact on the lungs.
Flavoring ingredients and additives in e-cigarettes may increase lung function, new research suggests. The study, published in the American Journal of Physiology, also found that short-term exposure to e-cigarettes was enough to cause lung inflammation similar to or worse than that seen with traditional cigarette smoking.
E-cigarettes dispense vapor derived from liquid chemicals in a refillable cartridge. Refills usually contain propylene glycol, nicotine, and often flavorings. Propylene glycol, a colorless and odorless food additive, is found in many processed foods and beverages. Subject to strict regulations, it is also used as a solvent in many pharmaceutical products.
The researchers studied several groups of mice that were exposed four times a day to various combinations of chemicals. Each exposure session was separated by 30-minute smoke-free intervals.
Different toxic substances
One group was exposed to cigarette smoke (“cigarette”). Another is e-cigarette vapor containing propylene glycol and vegetable glycerol, an odorless liquid derived from vegetable oils (“propylene”). A third was exposed to e-cigarette vapor containing propylene glycol and nicotine (“propylene + nicotine”) and a fourth
was exposed to e-cigarette vapor containing propylene glycol, nicotine, and tobacco flavor (“flavour”).
The “cigarette” and “electronic cigarette” groups were compared to a control group exposed to good quality air. Some animals in each group were exposed to short-term cigarette smoke or e-cigarette vapor (three days), while others were exposed for a longer period (four weeks).
The research team found an increase in markers of inflammation, mucus production and impaired lung function in the ‘propylene’, ‘propylene + nicotine’ and ‘flavoring’ groups after three days. However, the “propylene” group showed fewer negative effects with long-term exposure, suggesting that the additive alone only causes temporary irritation that eventually subsides with continued use.
The flavor problem
Additionally, two inflammation-causing proteins became elevated only in the “flavor” group, indicating that some of the many flavoring compounds on the market may not be safe even for short-term use.
The state of the “e-cigarette” groups compared to the “cigarette” group surprised the researchers. The stress level of the cells in the “aroma” group was equal to or greater than that of the “cigarette” group. “The observed adverse effects in lungs exposed to e-cigarette vapor underscore the need for further investigation of the safety and toxicity of these expanding devices worldwide,” the researchers conclude.
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