E-cigarette vapours can damage lung cells
- February 9, 2015, 11:56 am
- Health News
- 182 Views
ISLAMABAD, Feb 9 (APP): A new study by University of Rochester
suggests that e-cigarettes are likely to be a toxic replacement for
tobacco products.
Emissions from e-cigarette aerosols and flavourings damage
lung cells by creating harmful free radicals and inflammation in
lung tissue.
"Several leading medical groups, organisations and scientists
are concerned about the lack of restrictions and regulations for e-cigarettes," said Irfan Rahman, lead author and professor of
environmental medicine at University of Rochester Medical Center.
Researchers observed in the laboratory that human lung cells
exposed to e-cigarette aerosols released various inflammation
biomarkers.
Mice exposed to e-cigarettes with classic tobacco flavouring
also demonstrated signs of pulmonary inflammation.
"Our research affirms that e-cigarettes may pose significant
health risks and should be investigated further. It seems that
every day, a new e-cigarette product is launched without knowing
the harmful health effects of these products," he said in the
study appeared in the journal Plos One.
The toxic metals and oxidants from e-cigarettes raise
safety concerns as well as potential pollution hazards from
second-hand exposures and disposal of e-cigarette waste.
The study found that dripping e-liquids or e-juices to
produce vapours likely generates a larger dose of toxins to
the lungs.
