Electronic Cigarettes, The USFDA, and Simple Facts
The FDA has recently taken aim at Electronic Cigarettes by releasing a report stating they are wildly unhealthy. The full report has not been made available to the public but already the results have been shrouded in controversy. Some argue the smoking alternatives can’t possibly be worse than the FDA approved drug Chantix which has already proven itself to be a dangerous substance (people have become suicidal, over-aggressive, severely depressed, etc).
Concerns are beginning to rise that perhaps the FDA is not conducting these tests on electronic cigarettes with the health of the general public in mind. Why is the FDA measuring the safety of these unapproved NRTs to regular health standards instead of contrasting it to the dangers posed by smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes?
I chose to self-examine Diethylene Glycol apart from what the FDA says. Looking at the Health New Zealand study for electronic cigarettes, the presence of Diethylene Glycol was not tested for. They seem to have based their tests on manufacturer ingredient lists and known tobacco carcinogens. So what is Diethylene Glycol? The MSDS shows that chronic exposure to Diethylene Glycol can cause lesions on the liver and kidneys, as well as damage to the same organs.
Examining the substance further, the carcinogenic or cancer causing properties of Diethylene Glycol proved moot as none were found and or expected to be found in the future. The toxicological data showed a lethal ingestion dose at a whopping 855.925g for humans, and that regular exposure was non-toxic. If any adverse reactions were to occur from inhalation, discontinuing use or removing oneself to fresh air is the recommended first aid treatment.
Is Diethylene Glycol the main ingredient in antifreeze? The EPA has this to say about antifreeze variations: “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.”
Either way, no matter which ingredient is active in the suspension, the stigma of antifreeze being dangerous actually comes from the fact that it is often disposed of improperly. This is only important because during service and use of the product, heavy metals contaminate the fluid (particularly dangerous is the lead contained in the metals). Yes, straight antifreeze is toxic, but its active ingredient is Ethylene Glycol and the main hazard stems from the heavy metals absorbed in used, recycled, or improperly discarded antifreeze.
The other stab the FDA took in their findings as at the presence of nitrosamines (carcinogens) in the electronic cigarette fluid. The type of tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) found are actually naturally occurring in nicotine produced from tobacco leaves. The presence of TSNAs then increases with the strength of nicotine in the cartridges, according to the Health New Zealand study. On average, the cartridges contain 3.928 parts per billion (also noted as Ng or ppb).
The highest amount of TSNAs expected to be found in any “high-strength” nicotine cartridge refill for an e-cig is on average 8.183ppb. The FDA neglected to mention that Nicorette Gum, a long-standing NRT that is FDA approved, also contains about 8ppb. If we want to see why this amount is insignificant, we can compare it to unburned tobacco cigarettes which average approximately 1,230Ng.
Thinking back now to our original question, “Does the FDA have the public’s health in mind during their testing?” seems to take on a new light. It becomes increasingly apparent that perhaps their bigger concern is that a NRT device has hit the market that is very effective, just as safe as currently approved NRTs, but doesn’t line their pockets.
Tags: disease, Electronic cigarette, Environment., health, illness, nicotine replacement therapy, quit smoking, self help, Stop Smoking Articles
