Electronic Cigarette Facts vs. FDA’s Partial Disclosure

by Weldon Solis

Things are really heating up with the latest news that The FDA is calling electronic cigarettes dangerous to your health. This undeserved blow comes shortly after the FDA slapped Chantix and Zyban, two drugs already approved by them as Nicotine Replacement Therapies, with a warning label indicating their high risk of suicidal thoughts, aggression, depression, and hostility.

The question then coming into focus is, “Is the FDA really concerned about the public health in this determination?” In testing, electronic cigarettes should be held to safety standards of tobacco cigarettes; instead, they are being tested as health-risks with no regard to the 4,000 chemical touting titans already in the hands of over forty million Americans.

I chose to self-examine Diethylene Glycol apart from what the FDA says. Looking at the Health New Zealand study for electronic cigarettes, the presence of Diethylene Glycol was not tested for. They seem to have based their tests on manufacturer ingredient lists and known tobacco carcinogens. So what is Diethylene Glycol? The MSDS shows that chronic exposure to Diethylene Glycol can cause lesions on the liver and kidneys, as well as damage to the same organs.

Examining the substance further, the carcinogenic or cancer causing properties of Diethylene Glycol proved moot as none were found and or expected to be found in the future. The toxicological data showed a lethal ingestion dose at a whopping 855.925g for humans, and that regular exposure was non-toxic. If any adverse reactions were to occur from inhalation, discontinuing use or removing oneself to fresh air is the recommended first aid treatment.

Now what about the FDA’s comparison of Diethylene Glycol to the general public as the main ingredient in antifreeze? The EPA gives these statements on variations of antifreeze: “Some propylene glycol based antifreezes are less toxic to pets and humans, but antifreeze typically contains ethylene glycol as its active ingredient. Short-term toxicity is substantially lower in propylene glycol than that of ethylene glycol, especially in the case of human exposure.”

Primary ingredient aside, the prominent danger in anti-freeze actually stems from the heavy metals, specifically lead, that contaminate the suspension during use. Improperly disposing of used anti-freeze is a toxic hazard due to the absorbed heavy metal, not due to the active ingredients.

Although DG was found non-carcinogenic, there was a trace amount of tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNAs, carcinogens) found in 1 of the 18 cartridges tested by the FDA. This was not a new finding, as the Health New Zealand report did test for TSNAs and stated clearly that these were to be expected with any solution that derives its nicotine from the tobacco plant, and of course the amount of TSNAs would increase with the amount of nicotine contained in the cartridge. On average, electronic cigarette cartridges contain 3.928Ng (also knows as parts per billion [ppb]).

The breakdown is as follows: Nitrosamines In Cartridges: 0mg ” 0.260 Ng (ppb), 6mg ” 3.068 Ng, 11mg ” 4.200 Ng, 16mg ” 8.183 Ng. The highest amount found was in 16mg liquid, which had an average of 8.183 Ng. In comparison, Nicorette Gum (which is approved as an NRT) contains about 8 Ng. To put that number into perspective, Swedish moist snuff contains between 1000 and 2400 ppb nitrosamines, and unburned tobacco from cigarettes contains around 1230 ppb.

The FDA remained silent on equally yoking their findings, which begs the question of their integrity in their studies. Are they seeking to protect the public health, or prevent an unapproved NRT from taking shares from the pharmaceutics and Big Tobacco which they have just gained control over?

Charmshop Replied to this article.

I think the FDA is too afraid that the tobacco industry will start losing money which in fact cause them to lose money due to taxes on tobacco products, they care more about making money than anyone’s health!!! The FDA Will rather let people DIE from Cancer and make money than help save lives and lose some Money.

So to The FDA MONEY > Than HUMAN LIVES

I feel sorry for Americans to have such a corrupt organization look after their health, i mean just look at the general state of health in America it's terrible. I live in South Africa. Yes We have a lot of Crime & Corruption But this is a country where the electronic cigarette is welcomed & Cigarettes are being Banned Almost Everywhere, you are not even aloud to smoke in a car if you have children with you, at least our health ministers look out for peoples health, not for money.

Shame on you FDA :-(

http://www.charmshop.co.za