There are thousands of vaping liquids on the market and many of them contain flavoring chemicals that could increase the risk of lung diseases like chronic bronchitis.
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 chronic bronchitis, 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.
Vaping and Bronchitis
Vaping went mainstream in the United States around 2006. Within just a few years, there were over 7,000 types of flavored liquids and e-cigarettes on the market. As the FDA debates regulating this new industry, many researchers are warning that most flavored products contain high-risk chemicals like diacetyl that are linked to lung diseases like chronic bronchitis.
Flavoring Chemicals Linked to Lung Disease
The link between flavoring chemicals and lung disease was established in the early 2000s. Hundreds of workers at microwave popcorn factories were diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans (“Popcorn Lung”) after routinely breathing butter-flavoring.
The same chemicals used in butter flavoring are also used in vaping liquids to create sweet flavors like candy, fruit, or alcohol. The most common chemicals are diacetyl, acetoin, 2,3-pentanedione, and acetylpropionyl.
In recent years, several manufacturers of flavored vaping liquids have been hit with class action lawsuits. The manufacturers are accused of ignoring decades of evidence linking flavoring chemicals and lung disease. Some lawsuits were filed after tests showed extremely high amounts of the chemicals in vaping liquids.
Harvard Study Finds Most Vape Liquid Contains Flavor Chemicals
In 2015, researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health analyzed 51 sweet-flavored vaping products that might appeal to children. Nearly all of the liquids contained at least one high-risk flavoring chemical, and 76% contained diacetyl, the chemical linked to “Popcorn Lung.” In some products, the amount of diacetyl was over 4X the daily exposure limit. David Christiani, co-author of the study, warned:
“In addition to containing varying levels of the addictive substance nicotine, they also contain other cancer-causing chemicals, such as formaldehyde, and as our study shows, flavoring chemicals that can cause lung damage.”
What is Chronic Bronchitis?
Chronic bronchitis causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which are airways that carry oxygen into the lungs. Over time, inflamed airways narrow and secrete mucous, which makes it hard to breathe. In smokers, bronchitis frequently occurs with emphysema to cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
Symptoms
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness, discomfort, or pain
- Low fever
Complications
Inflamed and irritated airways are more vulnerable to viruses, bacteria, or fungus, which increases the risk of infections like pneumonia. Infections that occur in people with chronic bronchitis tend to last longer and are harder to treat.
Treatment
Chronic bronchitis is a serious disease that can cause permanent lung damage. Patients may need to use an inhaler to take medications that reduce inflammation and widen the airways. Oxygen therapy may help relieve symptoms for people with severe bronchitis.
Do I have a Vaping Bronchitis 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 chronic bronchitis, 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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