While vaping with e-cigarettes is commonly viewed as safer than smoking cigarettes, there is some disturbing news that this new trend may be harmful to your health in an entirely different way. E-cigarettes have been linked to a condition called “Popcorn Lung” that is an incurable respiratory condition. Parents with teenagers should talk to them about the dangers of using e-cigarettes, especially when the popular opinion is that they are not harmful to ones health.
What is Popcorn Lung?
First discovered in the lung tissue of factory workers in a buttered popcorn plant, Popcorn Lung is actually bronchiolitis obliterans, a respiratory illness that results in scarring of the small air sacs found in the lungs. The scarring doesn’t allow the air sacs to work properly, and can lead to coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness and increased respiratory irritation.
Scientists discovered that the factory workers were exposed to several airborne chemicals. After a prolonged exposure, the workers’ lungs reacted and many suffer from a range of respiratory illnesses, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Among the chemicals they inhaled was diacetyl, a common ingredient in artificial flavoring. Used for the butter flavor in the popcorn, when the chemical was vaporized and inhaled, it helped cause the lung damage.
E-Cigarettes and Popcorn Lung
In a study done by the Harvard School of Public Health, researchers found that flavored e-cigarettes carried the same toxin, diacetyl, as well as others that caused the original Popcorn Lung cases. More than 50 flavored e-cigarettes–with flavors in fruit, candy and more—were found to contain diacetyl. The amount of the chemical in the e-cigarettes is extremely high, and many health officials feel that it’s just a matter of time before more cases of Popcorn Lung start to show up in e-cigarette users.
What Parents Can Do
The best thing parents can do to protect the health and wellness of their children is to educate them on the dangers of e-cigarettes. Most people focus on the nicotine health hazards of e-cigarettes, but this new study shows that some of the chemicals in the flavored versions can also be harmful to the lungs. Because e-cigarettes are so new, there haven’t been any long-term studies to see what else could be affecting users. It is known already that e-cigarettes carry cancer-causing chemicals as well as nicotine, which is addictive.
With all this information, and with the long term effects of vaping unknown, parents should work hard to teach their children that the idea that e-cigarettes are a healthy smoking alternative is purely a myth.
Tyler Jacobson is a freelance writer, with past experience in content writing and outreach for parent and teen advocate organizations. His areas of focus include: parenting, education, social media, addiction, and issues facing teenagers today. Follow Tyler on: Twitter | Linkedin
