CENTRAL Pa.—Nearly 50 people have died from vaping-related illnesses and the number of cases continues to rise. For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked a chemical to the outbreak, naming vitamin E acetate as a “culprit of concern.” FOX43 Reveals what this chemical is and what it does.
According to the CDC, 2,290 cases of e-cigarette or vaping-related lung injuries have been reported from 49 states. As of November 20th, 47 people have died in 25 states—including Pennsylvania. Health officials are scrambling to determine a cause of the outbreak. This month, there is a potential breakthrough as the CDC zeroes in on vitamin E acetate.
The agency said the oily chemical is added to some THC vaping liquids to thicken or dilute them. FOX43 Reveals that vitamin E acetate is actually a synthetic form of vitamin E, which is commonly used in dietary supplements and skin care products. Vitamin E helps protect our bodies against the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are generated from fried foods, alcohol, tobacco, air pollution, and pesticides.
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