Chemicals in E-Cigarette Flavors Linked to Severe Respiratory Disease

E-cigarettes are seen as a healthier alternative to smoking. Now, though, researchers have found that chemicals in e-cigarette flavors may be linked to respiratory disease.

In this latest study, the researchers found that diacetyl, a flavoring chemical linked to cases of severe respiratory disease, was in more than 75 percent of flavored electronic cigarettes and refill liquids tested by researchers. In addition, the scientists found two other potentially harmful related compounds in many of the tested flavors.

Diacetyl has long been implicated in respiratory disease bronchiolitis obliterans, colloquially termed "Popcorn Lung." This is largely because it first appeared in workers who inhaled artificial butter flavor in microwave popcorn processing facilities.

"Recognition of the hazards associated with inhaling flavoring chemicals started with 'Popcorn Lung' over a decade ago," said Joseph Allen, one of the researchers, in a news release. "However, diacetyl and other related flavoring chemicals are used in many other flavors beyond butter-flavored popcorn, including fruit flavors, alcohol flavors and, we learned in our study, candy flavored e-cigarettes."

There are currently more than 7,000 varieties of flavored e-cigarettes and e-juice on the market. While the popularity of the use of e-cigarettes continues to increase, though, there's a lack of data on their potential health effects. E-cigarettes are not currently regulated, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule to include e-cigarettes under its authority to regulate certain tobacco and nicotine-containing products.

The findings reveal the importance of regulating these e-cigarettes in the future.

The findings are published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

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