Vaping, or drawing vapor into the lungs from e-cigarettes, has been tied to at least one case of lung disease in Kenosha County, officials have announced.
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials reported a breakthrough Friday in their investigation into the cause of a mysterious outbreak of vaping illnesses.
A government lab found the same chemical compound in fluid taken from the lungs of 29 patients across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced.
The compound — vitamin E acetate — was previously found in liquid from electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices used by many of those who got sick.
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Officials said this is the first time they've found a common suspect in the damaged lungs of patients.
"We are in a better place in terms of having one very strong culprit," said the CDC's Dr. Anne Schuchat.
But agency officials cautioned they cannot rule out all other toxic substances, and it may take animal studies to clearly show vitamin E acetate causes the lung damage that's been seen.
More than 2,000 Americans who use vape have gotten sick since March, many of them teen and young adults, and at least 40 people have died.
Vitamin E acetate has recently been used as a thickener in vaping fluid, particularly in black market vape cartridges. While vitamin E is safe as a vitamin pill or to use on the skin, inhaling oily droplets can be harmful.
Many who got sick said they had vaped liquids that contain THC, the high-inducing ingredient in marijuana, with many saying they got them from friends or bought them on the black market.
About two months ago, New York drew attention to vitamin E acetate when the state's public health lab discovered it in samples of vaping products from sick patients. In some instances, it made up more than half of the liquid in the cartridges.
The chemical has shown up in tests in other labs, too, including a U.S. Food and Drug Administration lab in Cincinnati.
For the latest test, the CDC used fluid extracted from the lungs of 29 patients in 10 states. They looked for a range of substances that had been found in various vaping devices, including nicotine, THC and other marijuana components, plant oils, mineral oil and cutting agents used on the black market.
The one substance that came up in all 29 patients was vitamin E acetate.
"To me what's important here is both what they found, and what they didn't find" said Scott Becker, head of the Association of Public Health Laboratories. "This was the only thing they found."
SIMMONS BLOCK PARTY
Simmons Island Block Party
Noah Muniz, 5, gets help from his grandfather, Chuck LeMay, while checking out a 1972 Hornet Wagon in front of the Kenosha History Center during the Simmons Summer Kickoff Block Party on Saturday. The event, shortened by rain, featured American Motor Co. and other classic cars as well as food vendors.
Harris and Hudson with Matt
Dan Harris shares his love of classic cars with his son, Matt; seen here examining the engine of a Hudson.
CAR SHOW BAKER PARK
Smart dog: Bowie, owned by James Bradmon, takes advantage of the shade underneath a classic car to escape the heat during the Father’s Day Kenosha Car Show, hosted by Vintage Auto Group and Kenosha Classic Street Machines, at Baker Park on Sunday, June 17, 2018.
CAR SHOW BAKER PARK
‘I like it hot, like today,” said Manuel Palos, Sr., left, as he and his son Manuel Palos, Jr., right, viewed a 1969 Dodge Super Bee. “It’s good to spend time with dad in the morning,” said Palos, Jr. The pair were at the Father’s Day Kenosha Car Show, hosted by Vintage Auto Group and Kenosha Classic Street Machines, at Baker Park on Sunday, June 17, 2018.
CAR SHOW BAKER PARK
You can’t go wrong (especially in Kenosha) taking your dad to the Father’s Day Car Show in Baker Park, where you’ll see classic cars like this 1959 Edsel Corsair, owned by Tony Ammendola.
CAR SHOW BAKER PARK
Pete Foley, right, stays out of the sun underneath an umbrella with his 1938 Chevy coupe, painted with flames in a “laser red” metallic pearl during the hot Father’s Day Kenosha Car Show, hosted by Vintage Auto Group and Kenosha Classic Street Machines, at Baker Park on Sunday, June 17, 2018.
CAR SHOW BAKER PARK
CAR SHOW BAKER PARK
Another vehicle arrives for the Father’s Day Kenosha Car Show, hosted by Vintage Auto Group and Kenosha Classic Street Machines, at Baker Park on Sunday, June 17, 2018.
CAR SHOW BAKER PARK
“It’s pretty cool. You don’t get to see cars like this every day. It’s just a cool experience to see the cars,’ said Joseph White, left, as he takes a photo of a 1930 Ford Model A truck owned by Rick Colp of Pleasant Prairie that’s reflected in the paint job of 1965 Pontiac GTO, right, owned by Jerry Chapman. Father’s Day Kenosha Car Show, hosted by Vintage Auto Group and Kenosha Classic Street Machines, at Baker Park on Sunday, June 17, 2018.
CAR SHOW BAKER PARK
Roy Scuffham grabs some cold water out of the trunk of his 1969 GTO, “The Judge.”
duringFather’s Day Kenosha Car Show, hosted by Vintage Auto Group and Kenosha Classic Street Machines, at Baker Park on Sunday, June 17, 2018. Scuffham got the car in 1980 and replaced it’s bent frame with another from a 1969 LeMans that he had on hand. “It keeps me out of the bars and out of trouble. The wife knew where I was,” said Scuffham
CAR SHOW BAKER PARK
CAR SHOW BAKER PARK
‘I like it hot, like today,” said Manuel Palos Sr., above left, as he and his son Manuel Palos Jr., right, view a 1969 Dodge Super Bee. “It’s good to spend time with dad in the morning,” said Palos, Jr.
The pair were at the Father’s Day Kenosha Car Show, hosted by Vintage Auto Group and Kenosha Classic Street Machines, at Baker Park on Sunday, June 17, 2018.
CAR SHOW BAKER PARK
CAR SHOW BAKER PARK
“Ten miles per gallon, if you’re lucky, on a good day, with the wind behind you,” said Steve Andersen, right, who drove his 1973 Cadillac hearse to the Father’s Day Kenosha Car Show, hosted by Vintage Auto Group and Kenosha Classic Street Machines, at Baker Park on Sunday, June 17, 2018.
WOUNDED WARRIOR CAR SHOW
Car enthusiasts walk through rows of classic cars during the annual car show fundraiser to benefit severely wounded soldiers. This year’s event is Sunday on Simmons Island.
WOUNDED WARRIOR CAR SHOW
CAR SHOW
Terry Brittingham brought his 1930 Ford to the Kenosha Classic Cruise-in Car Show. This year’s show is Sept. 1.
CAR SHOW
Dennis Spitz, front, gets help moving his 410 wind sprint car from his son, Kris, for the Kenosha Classic Cruise-in Car Show downtown on Saturday.
RODS FOR A REASON CAR SHOW
Auto enthusiasts look at classic cars during the Rods for a Reason car show at Petrifying Springs Park on July 9. Proceeds from the event will go to fund requests to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin from the Kenosha and Racine communities.
RODS FOR A REASON CAR SHOW
Auto enthusiasts look at classic cars during the Rods for a Reason car show at Petrifying Springs Park on Sunday, July 9, 2017.
