The Hidden Dangers of E-Cigarettes

What caused the e-cigarette explosion in Florida?

E-cigarettes have rapidly replaced traditional cigarettes in popularity with young people. The e-cigarette has been touted as the healthy alternative to cigarettes, and for some people, it does offer benefits over cigarettes. E-cigarettes produce an aerosol by heating a nicotine-containing liquid. The aerosol is then inhaled into the user’s lungs. E-cigarette aerosol has been found to generally contain fewer harmful particles than smoke from tobacco products, but the industry is largely unregulated. Some alarming findings as to the true substances contained within e-cigarettes have led to concerns among safety experts and could give rise to product liability lawsuits.

E-Cigarettes May Contain Harmful Chemicals

Most e-cigarette users purchase the product believing it to be a cleaner way of delivering nicotine. Users may be surprised to learn that the e-cigarette vapor in some brands contains ultrafine particles with cancer causing chemicals. Flavorings have been linked to serious lung disease, and some vapor contains heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead.

It is very difficult for consumers to know exactly what they are inhaling because marketing messages may not, in fact, match the product. For instance, some e-cigarettes touted as containing zero percent nicotine were in fact found to contain nicotine in a study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy. With so much misinformation swirling, it is important for consumers to do their research before picking up a vape pen.

E-Cigarettes Have Caused Fires and Explosions

Recently, a St. Petersburg, Florida TV producer was killed when his e-cigarette exploded. Emergency responders found 38-year-old Tallmadge Wakeman D’Elia in his bedroom with burns over 80 percent of his body. His e-cigarette had become lodged in his skull when it exploded, killing him.

Investigations revealed that the e-cigarette he was using came from a company located in the Philippines and, as such, it was not regulated in the U.S. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that this is the first death by e-cigarette in the U.S., but not the first explosion. Most vape pens use batteries that can explode. When an e-cigarette explodes, its shape makes it a dangerous projectile that can also cause a house fire.

Anyone injured in an e-cigarette accident should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Posted in: Personal Injury Law