Recent studies have found that many popular vaping liquids and e-cigarettes contain high-risk chemicals known to increase the risk of obstructive airway diseases like “Popcorn Lung.”
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting vaping induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with obstructive airway disease, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
What is Obstructive Airway Disease?
Obstructive airway diseases occur when the smallest airways in the lungs, called the bronchioles, are inflamed and narrowed. This makes it hard to breathe and exhale. After exhaling, air may remain in the lungs. This reduces the amount of oxygen that gets into the body.
Types of Obstructive Lung Diseases
- Asthma
- Chronic bronchitis
- Bronchiolitis obliterans
- Popcorn Lung
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- And more
Vaping and Obstructive Lung Disease
Vaping liquids and e-cigarettes usually contain flavoring chemicals. The problem is that many of these chemicals, such as diacetyl, are associated with chronic obstructive lung diseases like “Popcorn Lung.”
The disease, also known as bronchiolitis obliterans, was first seen in workers at microwave popcorn factories where diacetyl was an ingredient in butter-flavoring. Diacetyl is commonly used in vaping liquids, especially sweet flavors like candy, fruit, and alcohol.
In recent years, several studies have analyzed vaping liquids and found diacetyl or other high-risk chemicals like acetylpropionyl (2,3-pentanedione). One analysis by researchers at Harvard found diacetyl in 39 out of 51 flavors tested (76%).
Another analysis of 159 flavors found diacetyl or 2,3-pentanedione in 74% of products. In nearly half of the products tested, the amount of flavoring chemicals exceeded the daily occupational exposure limit set by OSHA.
What is COPD?
One of the most serious chronic airway diseases is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which involves a combination of bronchitis and emphysema. People with COPD have increased mucous, inflammation, and lung damage due to the destruction and enlargement of air spaces.
Symptoms of Obstructive Lung Disease
- Cough (with or without mucous)
- Shortness of breath that gets worse with activity
- Breathlessness
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Lung infections
- Low fever
How is it Diagnosed?
Lung diseases are usually diagnosed with the help of a test called spirometry, which involves blowing into a machine that tests how well the lungs take in an release air. High-resolution CT scans may also show thickened airways, haziness in the lungs, or air trapped in the lungs when the patient breathes out.
Do I have a Vaping Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting vaping induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with obstructive airway disease, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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