• Lethal vaping: the mysterious epidemic caused by electronic cigarettes
  • Risks: Electronic cigarettes without nicotine are also harmful
  • Vape.USA declares war on flavored electronic cigarettes

Toxic chemical vapors , and not the presence of lipids in the lungs, are responsible for the damage caused by electronic cigarettes, according to a report from the Mayo Clinic presented Wednesday as the first study of lung tissues with patients suffering from vaping.

The investigation found no evidence of lipid accumulation - fatty substances, such as mineral oils - in the lungs, a factor that has been considered as a possible cause of damage from the use of electronic cigarettes.

Biopsies were performed on 17 patients, all users of such cigarettes, who presented lung lesions possibly related to vaping.

"Although we cannot discount the potential role of lipids, we have not seen anything that suggests that (the damage) is a problem caused by the accumulation of lipid in the lungs," said Brandon Larsen , a pathologist surgeon at the Mayo Arizona Clinic and an expert National in lung pathology.

Instead of lipids, "it seems to be some kind of direct chemical injury, similar to what we can see with exposure to toxic chemical fumes, poisonous gases or toxic agents," added Larsen, lead author of the study.

Of the 17 tissue samples analyzed, two corresponded to Arizona and the others to different states of the country, said the report, which referred to the effects of vaping as "a public health crisis."

All patients reported the use of electronic cigarettes and 71% confirmed using cannabis oils . All also had acute lung injury, including pneumonitis. It is noted in the report that two of them died.

The country's health authorities have reported more than 800 cases of lung injuries associated with the use of electronic cigarettes in the past few months, according to this study.

To date, 12 deaths in 10 states in the country have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Research on the subject has suggested that products containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) , the main psychoactive component of marijuana, or other cannabis oils such as cannabidiol, could play an important role in these deaths.

"Our study offers the first detailed review of the abnormalities that can be observed in lung biopsies, to help doctors and pathologists make a diagnosis in an appropriate clinical context," Larsen said.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Health
  • Science and Health

Health There are now five dead in the US linked to electronic cigarettes

Well-being: The dried fruit that can help you sleep better and boost your sex life

Environment Scientists show that pesticides generate 'anorexic' birds