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An Illinois Resident Just Died After a Mysterious Vaping-Related Illness. It Could be the First Death Linked to Vaping in the U.S.

The teen who was hospitalized with a severe vaping-related respiratory illness in London, Ont., did not use a cannabis-related product, the region's medical officer of health told CBC News.

The high-school aged person who fell ill earlier this year was in intensive care and has recovered.

Dr. Chris Mackie, medical officer of health and CEO of Middlesex-London Health Unit, said the person hadn't been vaping cannabis.

"This person was not using those products" that include tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis that gives users a high), Mackie said in an interview Friday. "The person was vaping fairly heavily with a nicotine-based product."
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September 23, 2019 at 1:08 PM EDT - Updated September 23 at 1:14 PM
WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWNY) - The severe lung disease that has afflicted hundreds of vaping product users across the county has come to the north country.

According to a release from Jefferson County Public Health "since the weekend, three cases from Jefferson County have been reported to the Upstate New York Poison Center."

Local emergency departments, urgent cares, and primary care providers are now actively screening patients for symptoms.
Seven deaths in six states are blamed on the disease. Of the 530 confirmed and likely cases reported nationwide, 81 have been reported in New York.

Health officials point out that no one cause has been identified, but all cases involve people who have vaped recently.
[....]
Public health officials urge people who vape to stop and, for those who used to smoke cigarettes, to not return to that habit.

"E-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, pregnant women, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products," the release says.

Officials point out that the long-term effects of vaping are not known.
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List of symptoms:

Pleuritic chest pain
Shortness of breath
Headache
Fever
Nausea
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Weight loss

www.wwnytv.com

Mysterious vaping illness strikes 3 in Jefferson County

The severe lung disease that has afflicted hundreds of vaping product users across the county has come to the north country.
www.wwnytv.com www.wwnytv.com
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The CDC said Friday that no one e-cigarette or vaping product has led to an outbreak of a severe lung disease that is sickening users across the country.

According to a CDC press release,215 e-cigarette and vape users in 25 states have been sicked by a serious lung disease since August. That number does not include cases still under investigation.
[.l...]
The CDC reported Friday that of all those sickened by the lung disease, many — but not all — reported using vape products containing THC. The agency did note that there were also some reports of patients using both THC and nicotine products, and a smaller group of patients that were only using nicotine products.

The CDC's update came a day after the New York State Department of Health said it believes Vitamin E acetate — a substance found in cannabis e-cig products — was likely the culprit of the disease. While the CDC did say that they believe the cause of the disease is "likely associated with chemical exposure," they said it was "too early to pinpoint a single product or substance common to all cases."
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www.news5cleveland.com

CDC: No specific e-cig product causing lung disease

At least three people have died from the disease.
www.news5cleveland.com www.news5cleveland.com
 
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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -
Kansas' Governor Laura Kelly has announced another death related to vaping and e-cigarettes in Kansas.

A news release from the office of the Governor says the victim was a man over the age of 50.

“Today, I am saddened to announce the death of a second Kansan in association with this outbreak,” Governor Kelly said. “Dr. Lee Norman and his team with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are working tirelessly with other states and organizations to gather facts on e-cigarettes and its effects. We are coordinating a response to combat this epidemic, so that families can avoid such tragic outcomes.”

As of September 23, Kansas has had two confirmed deaths related to vaping. The first was a woman over the age of 50 who had underlying health conditions. This most recent case was a man who also had underlying health conditions.

There are currently nine probable/confirmed vaping-related cases in Kansas. Of these cases, five are men, and four are women. All have been hospitalized and range between the ages of 17 to 67-years-old. The types of products vary between, nicotine only, THC only, CBD only and a combination of THC and nicotine.

KDHE is not releasing locations of those affected or any info regarding specific cases due to the small number of those affected.

The CDC reports the number of vaping-related illnesses in the U.S. has climbed to 530, with several deaths nationwide. These new numbers indicate a 40 percent increase from last week, when the agency reported 380 cases in 36 states and the Virgin Islands. Half of the patients are under 25 years old.

In response to this dramatic increase, the CDC has opened its Emergency Operations Center.

The news release goes on to say "The state of Kansas is working swiftly to address this epidemic and is actively reviewing policy options."

Dr. Norman has been chosen to testify before Congress concerning the effects of e-cigarettes, and will offer his testimony in front of the United States House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee on Wednesday, Sept. 25.

“E-cigarettes are unregulated, which means that we don’t know what’s in them,” Dr. Norman, KDHE secretary, said. “And, of great concern to me, is that in the midst of all these illnesses being reported, the amount of young people using them is significant.”

About 96% of youth who started using e-cigarettes in 2016 and 2017 used flavored e-cigarette products, making them the most commonly used tobacco product among youth.

According to preliminary findings from the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), over 25%r of U.S. high school students report using an e-cigarette product in the past 30 days, an increase from 2018 when the rate of past 30-day use was 20.8%.

“Most teens who vape have never smoked cigarettes,” Norman said. “Vaping is how they are initiating inhaling things into their lungs. We must work diligently and swiftly in addressing this public health crisis.”

In response to marketing concerns, the FDA proposed a new rule on Friday that would only allow e-cigarette products to be sold after they've shown they can be marketed in a way that best protects public health.

This summer, the FDA was ordered by a federal judge to require all e-cigarettes to submit to federal review by May 2020.

“Until these rules and regulations go into effect, education is our best defense,” Secretary Norman said. “Talk to your kids. Talk to your grandkids. Keep talking about these issues.”

To increase education regarding e-cigarettes and what the tobacco industry has termed as “vaping,” KDHE and the Kansas Department of Education partnered to develop a Vape-Free Schools kit. Schools are urged to adopt the kit and parents and caretakers are encouraged to have conversations with their children. Tips are available from the Surgeon General here.

Governor Kelly also urges Kansans to follow the CDC's advice regarding vaping: "While this investigation is ongoing, people should consider not using e-cigarette products. People who do use e-cigarette products should monitor themselves for symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever) and promptly seek medical attention for any health concerns."
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www.kake.com

2nd vaping-related death reported in Kansas

Kansas' Governor Laura Kelly has announced another death related to vaping and e-cigarettes in Kansas. A news release from the office of the Governor says the victim was a man over the age of 50. ...
www.kake.com www.kake.com
 
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Yet cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco are still legal and readilly available for purchase ..

Don't get me wrong, I'm in no way excusing vaping ..

BUT, if bans are starting, the need to ban cigarette sales should be just as urgent ..
 
It wouldn't surprise me to find out this was sabotage by the tobacco industry to bring down the competition.

Georgia and Florida health officials have both reported their first vaping-related deaths, bringing the total number of U.S. fatalities from a lung disease that resembles a rare form of pneumonia to at least 11.

Georgia is investigating nine cases, including the deceased patient. Most of the patients are men, ranging from 18 to 68 years old, with a median age of 26, the Georgia Department of Public Health said Wednesday. Florida’s Department of Health said on Tuesday it had 27 cases.


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week said the mysterious lung disease has sickened 530 people across the U.S. Hundreds more have been reported in recent days, a CDC official told U.S. lawmakers at a hearing Tuesday. Kansas reported its second vaping-related death on Monday.

Health officials have traced the illness to vaping, though they are still trying to identify the exact cause. Some patients are reluctant to disclose what they were vaping, especially THC, which is illegal in most states. People are using an array of products, and no one product, brand or substance has been linked to all the cases.
[....]
Israel also announced an emergency ban on flavored e-cigarette sales on Tuesday and said it was considering a full prohibition, according to The Times of Israel. India said it was blocking sales of all e-cigarettes last week, and China is also reportedly tightening its restrictions on the products.

The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration recommend that U.S. consumers avoid all vaping products.

Doctors have identified a common set of symptoms that worsen over time, including coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pains, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. They’re advising anyone who has a history of vaping and has trouble breathing or experiences any of the other symptoms to seek medical care.
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It's not clear to me if these other countries are having these cases also or if they're just trying to head it off before they do.

www.cnbc.com

Death toll climbs from vaping illnesses as Florida, Georgia report new fatalities

Georgia and Florida health officials have both reported their first vaping-related deaths, bringing the total number of U.S. fatalities from a lung disease that resembles a rare form of pneumonia to at least 11.
www.cnbc.com www.cnbc.com
 
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Turd Fergusen said:
I don't know a lot of the vape companies have direct ties to big tobacco.
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Vaping illnesses top 800, CDC confirms
Hundreds of other cases remain under investigation.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/vaping/vaping-illnesses-top-800-cdc-confirms-n1059046
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Juul has announced a major shakeup of its juggernaut vape business. For starters, former Altria executive K.C. Crosthwaite is replacing Kevin Burns as CEO. Altria, if you need a refresher, is one of the largest tobacco companies in the world and bought a 35 percent stake in Juul for $12.8 billion last year.
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www.engadget.com

Juul hires former tobacco exec as CEO and ceases all US marketing

Juul has announced a major shakeup of its juggernaut vape business. For starters, former Altria executive K.C. Crosthwaite is replacing Kevin Burns as CEO. Altria, if you need a refresher, is one of the largest tobacco companies in the world and bought a 35 percent stake in Juul for $12.8...
www.engadget.com www.engadget.com
 
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Seeking answers, NBC News commissioned one of the nation's leading cannabis testing facilities to test a sampling of THC cartridges — 18 in all — obtained from legal dispensaries and unlicensed dealers.

The findings were deeply troubling.

Of the three purchased from legal dispensaries in California, the CannaSafe testing company found no heavy metals, pesticides or residual solvents like Vitamin E.

But 13 out of the other 15 samples from black market THC cartridges were found to contain Vitamin E.

CannaSafe also tested 10 of the unregulated cartridges for pesticides. All 10 tested positive.

The products all contained myclobutanil, a fungicide that can transform into hydrogen cyanide when burned.

"You certainly don’t want to be smoking cyanide," said Antonio Frazier, the vice president of operations at CannaSafe. "I don’t think anyone would buy a cart that was labeled hydrogen cyanide on it."

Pirzada described the existence of myclobutanil as "very disturbing," adding that "it’s going to cause a very toxic effect on the lungs."

The New York pulmonologist also expressed alarm about the presence of Vitamin E, which is also known to cause significant lung damage when inhaled, in the THC mixtures. "It should not be inhaled into your lungs," she said.

Pirzada has treated four patients, all teenagers, suffering from vaping-related lung damage. She said testing conducted on the same vaping mixture used by one of her patients detected the presence of Vitamin E.

The 18-year-old boy arrived at the hospital with pneumonia-like symptoms. But within 48 hours, Pirzada said, his condition deteriorated rapidly and he was placed on a ventilator.

He spent five days on life support before he was able to breathe on his own and recover with the help of steroids. "He required very high levels of support to keep him alive," Pirzada said.

David Downs, the California bureau chief for Leafly, an online publication devoted to the cannabis industry, said downtown Los Angeles acts as the final destination for a supply chain that originates in China.

"This all starts in China where you can get the empty cartridges both for the THC market and the nicotine market, as well as the additives, flavorings, and thickeners that are being put into these cartridges alongside the THC oil," Downs said.

"It’s a very deep, mature, and advanced industry that starts in China and ends in our own backyard."

Downs said anyone who buys bootleg vapes is putting themselves at risk.

"I’ve been saying, ‘Look, if you buy a fake Gucci purse, it’s not going to give you a lung injury, but if you buy a fake vape cartridge, it just might.’" Downs said.

Acting FDA Commissioner Ned Sharpless, speaking to a congressional committee on Wednesday, said investigators are working to identify the toxic products and "follow the supply chain to the source."

"FDA is not pursuing any actions associated with personal use of any vaping products, our interest is in the suppliers," Sharpless told the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, which has oversight authority over the FDA.

"But to be clear, if we determine that someone is manufacturing or distributing illicit, adulterated vaping products that caused illness and death for personal profit, we would consider that to be a criminal act."

The American Vaping Association insists the outbreak is linked to THC oils and knock-offs.
[....]
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www.nbcnews.com

Tests show bootleg marijuana vapes tainted with hydrogen cyanide

NBC News commissioned laboratory tests of knock-off marijuana vapes that found a pesticide linked to hydrogen cyanide in 10 out 10 products.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com
 
Do these holdouts just not keep up with the news at all or what? I know I mentioned the Amber Guyger sentencing to a couple of random folks yesterday after work and they had no idea what I was talking about, so it made me think most people do not bother with the news on any level.
 
The airways and lungs of some patients with a vaping-related illness appeared damaged in ways similar to those exposed to chemical spills or harmful gases, researchers reported Wednesday.

The study did not provide any clues as to the kind of chemicals that might be causing the condition, but the authors said signs of damage were consistent.

“What all these appeared to represent was some sort of toxic chemical fume injury, or chemical burn if you will,” said Dr. Brandon Larsen, a pathologist at Mayo Clinic Arizona and senior author of the paper, which was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The report—based on biopsies—did not find any evidence to back some earlier suggestions that lipids, or fats, inhaled through vaping might be a possible contributor to the condition. The findings could offer a potential new approach to identifying new cases.

“We wanted to understand the spectrum of changes that can be seen so that we can help provide diagnostic criteria for pathologists in the laboratory who are seeing these biopsies and for clinicians who are sending biopsies to the lab,” Larsen said.
[....]
For the new report, Larsen and colleagues examined biopsies from 17 patients suspected of having or confirmed to have vaping-associated lung injury, two of whom died from the condition. About 70% of the patients said they had vaped marijuana, echoing survey data released last week by health authorities that found 87% of a group of patients had vaped THC products.

In all of the 17 cases, the researchers found signs of pneumonitis—inflammation of the lungs—and damage to the airway and lung tissue, suggesting, they wrote, the condition might be caused by “one or more inhaled toxic substances.”

What they did not find was evidence of lipoid pneumonia, which occurs when fats enter the lungs. Last month, a team from North Carolina reported diagnosing five patients with vaping-related illnesses with lipoid pneumonia and speculated that the cause might be patients breathing in aerosolized oils from e-cigarettes. But the Mayo Clinic researchers found that none of the cases they looked at supported such a premise, which they wrote “calls into question” searching out lipids as a diagnostic marker.

Previous research had already raised doubts about inhaled oils as the cause of the injuries. Researchers from Utah last month reported finding macrophages—a type of immune cell—filled with lipids in the cases they reviewed, but that other symptoms were not consistent with lipoid pneumonia.

The new research backs that up, said Dr. Sean Callahan, a University of Utah pulmonologist, who was part of the Utah team that published their report last month. While so-called lipid-laden macrophages are seen in cases of lipoid pneumonia, they can also form because of general inflammation and damage to the lungs. When that happens, broken down cells release lipids, which can make their way into macrophages.

Larsen, of Mayo Clinic Arizona, said the team found some signs of lipids in macrophages, though not large amounts.
[....]
“We still don’t know 100% what’s causing this, but if you’re saying it’s because a bunch of people are inhaling oil, then young people might say, ‘Oh we just shouldn’t inhale oil,’” Callahan said. “We need to have a good message around this.”
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www.scientificamerican.com

Vaping-Related Lung Injuries Resemble Chemical Burns

A study of 17 patients with the mysterious illnesses revealed inflammation suggestive of inhaled toxic substances
www.scientificamerican.com www.scientificamerican.com
 
E-cigarette vapor causes lung cancer and potentially bladder cancer in mice, damaging their DNA and leading researchers at New York University to conclude that vaping is likely “very harmful” to humans as well.

“It’s foreseeable that if you smoke e-cigarettes, all kinds of disease comes out” over time, Moon-Shong Tang, the study’s lead researcher, said in an interview. “Long term, some cancer will come out, probably. E-cigarettes are bad news.”


How carcinogenic e-cigarette use is for humans “may not be known for a decade to come,” but the study is the first to definitively link vaping nicotine to cancer. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the study was published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

A February study by the University of Southern California found that e-cigarette users developed some of the same molecular changes in oral tissue that cause cancer in cigarette smokers, according to the study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

In the NYU study, researchers found that e-cigarette vapor caused DNA damage in the lungs and bladder and “inhibits DNA repair in lung tissues.” Out of 40 mice exposed to e-cigarette vapor with nicotine over 54 weeks, 22.5% developed lung cancer and 57.5% developed precancerous lesions on the bladder.

None of the 20 mice exposed to e-cigarette smoke without nicotine developed cancer over the four years they studied the mice, researchers said.

That’s “statistically very significant,” said Tang, who’s a professor at the NYU School of Medicine.


Tang said his results heighten the need for more research about the relationship between e-cigarette use and cancer in humans. Because the market is still relatively young, he said it might be another decade before its impact on humans is more thoroughly understood. Based on his findings in mice, Tang said he doesn’t think the research will show e-cigarette use is safe for human consumption.

The amount of smoke the mice were exposed to was similar to what a human would inhale if they vaped regularly for about three to six years, Tang estimated.

“If they use e-cigarettes regularly, that’s probably similar,” he said. Much like combustible cigarettes, Tang said his findings suggest that secondhand vaping fumes also pose a risk to other people within close proximity.

There were limitations to the study. The mice did not inhale the vapor as deeply as a human would, for instance. It also was conducted in a small number of mice that were more likely to develop cancer over their lifetime, researchers noted.
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However, Tang noted there’s a difference between being safer than cigarettes and safe in general.

“Young kids think it’s safer,” Tang said. “But it will cause cancer in mice.”

Tony Abboud, executive director of the Vapor Technology Association, disputed the findings. He cited a 2015 study by Public Health England that found e-cigarettes to be “at least 95% safer” than traditional cigarettes.

“As with all individual studies there are enormous limitations such as the minute sample size that the authors in this specific study point out,” Abboud said in an emailed statement. “The larger body of scientific evidence must be considered and more research should be done, but today’s study in PNAS does not stand for the proposition that the headline suggests.”

He also cited a 2016 report by British doctor’s group the Royal College of Physicians that said the harm caused by e-cigarettes equated to about 5% “of the burden caused by tobacco smoking.”

Linda Cuthbertson, spokeswoman for the Royal College of Physicians, said “elements of our reports and statements have been used in isolation.” The report cited by Abboud said e-cigarettes, while less harmful than tobacco cigarettes, may still be more hazardous than other forms of nicotine replacement since the industry isn’t uniformly regulated and manufacturing varies, she noted.

The same report said “some of the carcinogens, oxidants and other toxins present in tobacco smoke have also been detected in e-cigarette vapour, raising the possibility that long-term use of e-cigarettes may increase the risks of lung cancer, COPD, cardiovascular and other smoking-related diseases,” although it’s likely substantially less of a risk than in traditional smoking.
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Bronx teen confirmed as first New Yorker to die of vaping-related illness
A teenager from the Bronx on Tuesday became the first person in New York to die of a vaping-related illness, Gov. Andrew Cuomo confirmed.

The 17-year-old boy was taken to Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, sources told The Post.

The Bronxite brings the vaping death toll to nearly two dozen nationally.
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https://nypost.com/2019/10/08/bronx-teen-confirmed-as-first-new-yorker-to-die-of-vaping-related-illness/
 
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