CDC identifies chemical in fluid from vaping-associated lung injuries

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today identified vitamin E acetate as a “potential chemical of concern” in biologic samples from patients with vaping-associated lung injuries. The agency tested lung fluid samples from 29 patients with the condition (called EVALI) in 10 states and found vitamin E acetate in all 29 samples. “These findings provide direct evidence of vitamin E acetate at the primary site of injury within the lungs,” CDC said. It also found tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in 82% of the samples and nicotine in 62% of the samples. CDC yesterday updated the number of people with confirmed or probable lung injuries associated with electronic cigarette use or vaping products to 2,051 in 49 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including 39 confirmed deaths. CDC and the Food and Drug Administration continue to investigate the cause of the illness, and encourage health care providers to report possible cases to their state or local health department.