E-cigarettes May Be No Less Dangerous Than Tobacco Products

A new study conducted in San Francisco has warned that e-cigarette users are inhaling potentially dangerous levels of a synthetic cooling agent used to imitate mint and menthol flavors.

E-cigarettes have recently become a popular “less dangerous” alternative to tobacco products, but what recent studies have revealed may make us think about these alternatives again!

E-cigarette Flavorings and Synthetic Cooling Agents

Suppliers have recently begun marketing synthetic additives that provide a cooling effect without a mint flavor, as research has revealed that e-cigarette makers use synthetic agents WS-3 and WS-23 in their products at levels above what the World Health Organization considers safe to add a synthetic cooling agent, including Juul e-cigarette marketed in Europe which led researchers to explore if these synthetic agents are used in other e-cigarettes.

The research focused on e-liquids with a refreshing flavor by searching for terms like “kool/cool” and “ice” on websites selling these products, and the results were shocking, as researchers found that synthetic cooling agents were used in 24 out of 25 e-liquids they were analyzed, and 5 out of 14 iced and non-iced flavors contained WS-3.

Synthetic cooling agents are found not only in mint and menthol products but in fruit flavors, Puff bars, and other disposable e-cigarettes.

Can E-cigarettes Cause 'Organ Toxicity'?

Scientists who study harmful substances know that an MOE of less than 100 indicates an increased risk. Alarmingly, the MOEs for WS-23 in 11 out of 13 Puff bar products were less than 100, and here we should note that WS-3 and WS-23 are FDA regulated as food additives, but not for inhalation, thus regulators such as the Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization must review product safety and advise manufacturers on steps to make the product safe to use.

In light of this, the researchers concluded that e-cigarette users inhale WS-3 and WS-23 at levels higher than those considered safe by the World Health Organization, with the potential to cause organ toxicity, and therefore regulators should consider a product safety review for Puff bar vaping devices and e-cigarette refill liquids.

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