So-called popcorn lung due to dangerous chemicals in e-cigarettes

Many people who want to give up smoking hope for effective support through the so-called "e-cigarettes". But experts have been emphasizing for some time that the electronic Glimmstengel is not a healthy alternative to smoking. Now American scientists report in the journal "Environmental Health Perspectives" that electric cigarettes are apparently even more dangerous than previously thought. Because they contain a certain chemical, through which it can come to a so-called "popcorn lung".
Supposedly useful help with smoking cessation
For some years, the electric cigarette (e-cigarette) is receiving increasing attention and is being used by many smokers who want to stop smoking as an aid in smoking cessation. Although the e-cigarette contains nicotine, but no tar and tobacco components and is therefore considered less harmful than the conventional "fag". However, many health experts see this differently and warn instead of the health risks.

Popcorn lung through e-cigarettes? Image: Nonwarit - fotolia

Although, according to the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), the long-term health effects are still unknown, short-term harmful effects on the respiratory system would be recognizable after only a few puffs on the e-cigarette. These include, among other things, dry cough, pronounced narrowing of the airways and irritation in the throat and mouth. In addition, the nicotine contained in most liquids rapidly becomes addictive and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease when used for long periods of time.

7,000 different e-cigarettes and liquids on the market
But that's not all. Because according to a study of the American Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the smoking of e-cigarettes may seem even more dangerous than previously thought. As reported by the School of Public Health, the team around Joseph Allen had studied 51 different e-cigarettes and liquids in different flavors for their project - selected from over 7,000 products that are currently on the market , They came to a frightening conclusion, as more than 75 percent of the Liqiud samples contained the chemical diacetyl.

Characteristic of Diacetyl is a pronounced taste and smell of butter, so it is also part of the natural butter aroma and is also used in the production of microwave popcorn. However, if the chemical is inhaled, it can lead to severe chronic lung disease bronchiolitis obliterans, the message said. Above all, workers in popcorn factories are affected by the problem, which is why the disease is also referred to as "popcorn lung".

More dangerous substances discovered
In addition, the scientists discovered two more dangerous substances in the liquids of e-cigarettes. Thus, of the 51 liquids tested, 46 contained acetone, which is e.g. irritating to the respiratory tract. Acetylpropionyl (pentandion) was detected in 23 liquids, a substance which, among other things, can damage the tissue.

"So far, health concerns about e-cigarettes have mostly focused on nicotine, but there is much more that we do not know about cigarettes. In addition to the different amounts of nicotine addictive, they also contain other carcinogenic chemicals such as formaldehyde. And as our study shows, aroma chemicals that can cause lung damage, "said study co-author David Christiani. (No)