As reported in Newswise, a new experimental study on vaping, a popular electronic device used to consume nicotine or cannabis, has found that the e-cigarette products with nickel-chromium alloy heating elements may be responsible for significant vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). They found that this type of e-cigarette causes harmful effects even without nicotine, vitamin E oil, or THC, which had earlier been considered as the factor responsible. The researchers observed the effects on the cardiovascular system between participants using vaping devices with the earlier heating device made of stainless steel and then switching to the new nickel-chromium alloy (NC). They found significantly worse results with the NC. They also note that the damage may be related to the higher power on the newer devices, and caution users to not use the highest heat.

“While further research is needed, these results indicate that specific devices and power settings may play a key role in the development of EVALI as much as the additives do,” said Kloner. “The harms associated with E-cigarettes and vaping simply cannot be overstated.”

Vaping Product Use–Associated Lung Injury

“The results were so impactful, we felt it imperative to release the initial findings early so that electronic cigarette users could be cautioned sooner, especially considering E-cigarette users are at increased risk of COVID-19.”

“Electronic cigarette users should be cautioned about the potential danger of operating electronic cigarette units at high settings; the possibility that certain heating elements may be deleterious; and that E‐cigarette or vaping product use–associated lung injury may not be dependent upon tetrahydrocannabinol, vitamin E, or nicotine.”

The Study’s Rapid Results

“After analyzing lung tissue from subjects in the study, we found them to be severely compromised and observed other serious changes such as lung lesions, red blood cell congestion, obliteration of alveolar spaces, and pneumonitis in some cases.”