E-vaporisers contain multiple chemicals which may lead to health issues. - ST PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: KEVIN LIM
SINGAPORE: The authorities have been clamping down on e-vaporisers since 2018, but the use of these devices is very common.
From Dec 2 to 3, 176 people were caught at music festival ZoukOut 2023 by Health Sciences Authority (HSA) officials for possessing e-vaporisers.
Studies have shown that those who use e-vaporisers, also known as e-cigarettes or vapes, may face health issues.
Chemicals found in e-vaporisers may cause lung injury
In February 2020, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States confirmed 2,807 cases of lung injuries associated with vaping, and 68 deaths that resulted from those injuries.
Vitamin E acetate, an additive in some e-vaporisers, is strongly linked to injuries, said the CDC, as it can cause respiratory issues when inhaled.
Caffeine, a pesticide and two flavourings were among harmful substances found in such products, stated an October 2021 research by Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. These chemicals are linked with possible toxic effects and respiratory irritation.
Vape users are also more prone to having a “popcorn lung”, or bronchiolitis obliterans, a chronic condition where the lung airways are inflamed.
Diacetyl, a chemical found in many e-vaporisers, is one of the causes of this condition, said Harvard Medical School.
The condition may result in scarring of air sacs in the lungs, and the thickening and narrowing of airways.
Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases
According to research by the US National Institutes of Health, prolonged use of e-vaporisers may severely impair the function of the body’s blood vessels, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers found that blood vessels of vape users produce significantly lower amounts of nitric oxide, which allows vessels to expand and regulate blood pressure. The blood of users was also observed to release greater amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which can also impair the function of blood vessels.
Research done by the American Heart Association found that participants who used e-vaporisers experienced an increase in heart rate of about four beats per minute after vaping, and an increase in blood pressure.
In a separate report, the researchers found that those who vape consistently performed worse on treadmill exercises, which give a prediction of heart disease risk, than those who do not.
E-vaporisers contain cancer-causing chemicals
The vapour from an e-cigarette contains cancer-causing chemicals.
According to the American Lung Association, e-vaporisers contain acrolein, a herbicide primarily used to kill weeds, which may cause lung cancer and other lung injuries. Another cancer-causing chemical, benzene, which can be found in car fuel, exhaust and detergents, is also found in vapes.
Formaldehyde, which may cause airway irritation and cancer, may form if liquid in an e-vaporiser overheats, said the American Cancer Society.
Negatively impact adolescents’ brain development
Most e-vaporisers contain nicotine, which can negatively impact a developing brain’s ability to learn and focus, said HSA. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can have permanent effects on impulse control and lead to mood disorders.
Nicotine also changes the way synapses – critical nodes for transmitting information between neurons and throughout the body – are formed, which can harm the parts of the brain that control attention and learning.
If used during pregnancy, nicotine in the devices may also cause premature births and low-birth-weight babies, said the American Cancer Society. - The Straits Times/ANN
