Study Says E-Cigarette, Vaping Emits Cancer Causing Vapors; More Harmful than Tobacco?
A New Study Reveals E-Cigarette Smoking or Vaping Releases Cancer Causing Vapors
E-cigarette smoking or vaping may be more harmful than tobacco smoking.
A team of researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found more reasons why E-cigarettes and vaping are harmful. Among the more than 25 chemicals that are released in the vapors, they found propylene glycol and glycerin which are chemicals that irritate the eye, skin and the respiratory system.
Possible Cancer Causing Ingredients in E-Cigarette
When propylene glycol and glycerin are heated in e-cigarettes or vaping, they transform into toxic cancer-causing chemicals including formaldehyde and acrolein, The Washington Post points out. Furthermore, there is a connection with how heated the coil is inside the e-cigarette.
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The hotter the e-cigarette coil is, the more toxic chemicals are released in its vapors, according to the team's study. Vaping while the e-cigarette is not so hot releases less chemicals than when the device is already hot. Their study was published online in Environmental Science and Technology.
E-Cigarette Vaping More Harmful than Tobacco Smoking?
According to study author Hugo Destaillats, e-cigarette smoking is harmful just like tobacco smoking. However, in terms of chemical composition, tobacco smoke is much more toxic. This does not mean that e-cigarette smoking or vaping is any better because there is still a lot of risks that are unknown.
"Advocates of e-cigarettes say emissions are much lower than from conventional cigarettes, so you're better off using e-cigarettes," Destaillats said, International Business Times noted. He added that e-cigarettes may help long-time tobacco smokers especially when they find it hard to quit.
Increasing Vaping and E-Cigarette Use in the US
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report in 2014 regarding the increasing use of e-cigarettes and vaping in the US. Vaping has been popular among early and older adults and there has been a spike in teens who are using e-cigarettes as well.
Since e-cigarette use has been soaring in the country in past couple of years, the Food and Drug Administration mandated that the sale of e-cigarettes to teens 17 and below is no longer allowed.
Do you think e-cigarette smoking is still better than tobacco smoking now that it has been found to potentially cause cancer as well? Let us know of your opinions in the comments below.
