FDA Warns: ‘E-Cigarettes’ Contain Toxic, Cancer-Causing Chemicals
The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers about the dangers of electronic cigarettes, which are battery-operated, smoke-free devices that deliver nicotine but also contain ingredients found in antifreeze and other potentially deadly toxins.
E-cigarettes, as they are called, convert nicotine and other chemicals into a vapor that can be inhaled. They are commonly marketed to young people and sold in stores as well as over the Internet. The products are not reviewed or approved by the FDA for safety and effectiveness and do not carry the same health warnings as conventional cigarettes or FDA-approved nicotine replacement products, such as gums and skin patches.
Because e-cigarettes are not regulated in the same way as other nicotine-replacement devices, health officials said they cannot confirm or monitor the levels of nicotine and other chemicals contained in them. As a result, FDA officials are warning that e-cigarettes can increase nicotine addiction and tobacco use, particularly in young people, and expressing concerns about how the products are marketed.
They are available in different flavors, such as chocolate and mint, which may appeal to young people, the FDA warned.
FDA Testing Finds Toxic Chemicals
FDA testing of sample cartridges from two leading brands of e-cigarettes detected cancer-causing carcinogens and other toxic chemicals in the products, officials said. The FDA found diethylene glycol, a chemical found in antifreeze that is toxic to people and animals, as well as nitrosamines and potentially dangerous amounts of other chemicals.
Health-safety officials have been detaining and examining shipments of e-cigarettes coming into the U.S. and testing the products. The FDA said most of the products being examined qualify as combination drug-device products that fall under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. A lawsuit now making its way through federal court could give the FDA authority to regulate e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes are an increasing threat to consumer health that may soon fall under greater FDA scrutiny.
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I simply can’t believe it! Even after the FDA warning, there are columnists and folks leaving blog comments bragging about puffing on e-cigarettes instead of real cigarettes. What, cancer from a pretend cigarette is a better way to die than getting cancer from real tobacco? Denial just will not stay in Africa. One of the better articles on e-cigs, which warned consumers months ago about safety concerns, is at:
http://www.ethicsoup.com/2009/03/hey-hey-fda-whaddaya-say-are-ecigarettes-safe-eh.html
Here are the facts:
What is Diethylene Glycol? The MSDS2 shows that chronic exposure to Diethylene Glycol can cause lesions on the liver and kidneys, as well as damage to the same organs. In the case of inhalation, the only first aid recommended is removal from the source to fresh air. The toxicalogical information is as follows:
Quote:
Oral rat LD50: 12565 mg/kg. Skin rabbit LD50: 11.89 g/kg Irritation: eye rabbit, standard Draize: 50 mg mild. Investigated as a tumorigen and reproductive effector.
——–\Cancer Lists\——————————————————
—NTP Carcinogen—
Ingredient Known Anticipated IARC Category
———————————— —– ———– ————-
Diethylene Glycol (111-46-6) No No None
This shows that Diethylene Glycol is not a known carcinogen, nor is it expected to be found as one in the future. In addition, the dose required to kill half of the sample of rats tested is 12.565 g/kg and 11.89 g/kg for rabbits. Assuming this can be extended to humans, an average adult male would have to ingest 855.925 g to receive a lethal dose.
Is Diethylene Glycol the main ingredient in antifreeze? The EPA3 has this to say about antifreeze variations:
Quote:
Antifreeze typically contains ethylene glycol as its active ingredient, but some manufacturers market propylene glycol-based antifreeze, which is less toxic to humans and pets. The acute, or short-term, toxicity of propylene glycol, especially in humans, is substantially lower than that of ethylene glycol. Regardless of which active ingredient the spent antifreeze contains, heavy metals contaminate the antifreeze during service. When contaminated, particularly with lead, used antifreeze can be considered hazardous and should be reused, recycled, or disposed of properly.
Ethylene Glycol is the main ingredient in antifreeze. While straight antifreeze is toxic, the main hazard is from used antifreeze, which absorbs heavy metals.
What about Nitrosamines? Nitrosamines are carcinogens. Tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) are found in the liquid used by Ruyan in their cartridges. According to the Health New Zealand report1, the amount increases with the amount of nicotine, and the average is 3.928 Ng (or parts per billion [ppb]). The breakdown is as follows:
Quote:
Nitrosamines
0mg – 0.260 Ng (ppb)
6mg – 3.068 Ng
11mg – 4.200 Ng
16mg – 8.183 Ng
The highest amount found was in 16mg liquid, which had an average of 8.183 Ng. In comparison, Nicorette Gum (which is approved as an NRT) contains about 8 Ng. To put that number into perspective, Swedish moist snuff contains between 1000 and 2400 ppb nitrosamines, and unburned tobacco from cigarettes contains around 1230 ppb.
I have my first shipment of these coming and they seem to be taking forever. Possibly due to the FDA stopping them and taking a moment or two to inspect them for something. Not sure what.
I ordered these to move off of regular cigarettes which have got to be, unarguably more detrimental than the water vapor produced by e-cigarettes.
The FDA has a job to do and so I accept them pursuing whatever they feel is within their jurisdiction to investigate however I cant imagine that this is the threat that people are building it up to be.
If the FDA determines that cherry pie is detrimental to your health…which no doubt it is because of its high calorie count and someone is addicted to cherry pie growing fatter by the minute, when someone comes out with a one calorie cherry pie I dont want to hear all the resistance to it because it still has a calorie.
This is a helpful product for long time smokers who want to quit for their health or to just stop paying all of the rediculous taxes levied against it. Just because China is receiving the revenue from this product doesnt make it the devil.
Someday we in the U.S. will understand that we are in a global market and continuing to “regulate” consumers buying power has got to have its limits. If the government overtaxes a product like tobacco, we should as consumers in a free market be able to purchase outside of our local market without penalty. We dont need another “tea party” to raise awareness of overagressive taxation. Regulating international competition under the guise of consumer protection is just dishonest.
I say more power to the e-cigarette!