Smoking electronic cigarettes exposes the lungs to flavored toxins when e-liquids are heated and inhaled, according to results of a study published in the medical journal Frontiers in Physiology. Breathing in these liquid products would cause a significant inflammatory reaction in the monocytes, kinds of white blood cells of the immune system.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center in the United States wanted to confirm that vaping e-cigarettes without nicotine is safer for your health than smoking traditional cigarettes. Previous studies show that the flavors used in e-cigarettes cause inflammatory and oxidative stress reactions in lung cells. E-cigarette users also have high levels of oxidative stress markers in their blood compared to non-smokers.
Liquids from e-cigarettes damage the immune system
This new study expands research to assess the effects of commonly used flavoring chemicals, as well as nicotine-free e-liquids, directly on immune cells, a type of white blood cell called monocytes.
The results showed that exposure to chemicals and flavoring e-liquids from e-cigarettes resulted in increased production of two well-established biomarkers for inflammation and tissue damage induced by oxidative stress. Additionally, many flavoring chemicals have caused significant cell death, with some flavors being more toxic than others.
“Although the flavoring compounds tested may be safe for ingestion, these results show that they are not safe for inhalation,” says study author Dr Thivanka Muthumalage. “The chemicals flavored with cinnamon, vanilla were the most toxic, but our research showed that mixing the flavors of e-liquids caused by far the greatest toxicity to white blood cells.”
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