Researchers at the OSUCCC – James in October reported the first evidence of biological changes correlated with e-cig use in never-smokers.
Using bronchoscopy to test for inflammation and smoking-related effects, researchers reported a measurable increase in inflammation after four weeks of e-cig use (without nicotine or flavors). Although the magnitude of change was small compared with a control group, the pilot data suggests that even short-term use can cause inflammatory changes at a cellular level. Inflammation from smoking is an important driver of lung cancer and other respiratory disease development.
Peter Shields, MD, senior author of the study and deputy director of the OSUCCC, says any level of cellular inflammation correlated with e-cig use is concerning because the biological and health effects of e-cig constituents such as propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine — while “generally regarded as safe” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when used in foods and cosmetics — are unknown when heated and inhaled with e-cigs. Researchers noted that, even in this small study, there were observable effects.
“The implication of this study is that longer-term use, increased daily use and the addition of flavors and nicotine may promote additional inflammation,” says Shields. “The general perception among the public is that e-cigs are ‘safer’ than cigarettes. The reality is the industry is changing so fast, and with minimal regulation, that usage is outpacing the rate of our scientific understanding.
“It’s becoming a public health crisis we should all take very seriously from a general pulmonary health, cancer risk and addiction perspective,” he adds. “E-cigs may be safer than smoking, but that is not the same as safe. We need to know how unsafe they are.”
Amid recent reports of lung disease and deaths associated with vaping, scientists believe the effects of vaping nicotine and marijuana oils make this research critical.
Published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.