New study points to heating coils behind vaping lung injuries

A new study reveals that the type of heating coil used in e-cigarettes and the amount of voltage sent through may contribute to vaping lung injuries.

According to reports, laboratory rats suffered significant lung injuries after being exposed to vapor from devices for high-powered heating coils made from nickel-chromium alloy. The animals exposed to devices that contained nickel-chromium alloy coils immediately began gasping for breath, lying on the bottom of cages, huffing and pudding. 

“Their color looked off,” said lead researcher Michael Kleinman, a professor of occupational and environmental medicine at the University of California, Irvine.”Their nose, which is normally pink, kind of looked pale. 

Additionally, researchers reported that this reaction not happen in experiments that used stainless steel heating coils. 

“When we looked at their lungs, we saw they had very severe damage to the lung structure,” said lead researcher Michael Kleinman, a professor of occupational and environmental medicine at the University of California, Irvine. “We found we got the worst effects in coils that contained nickel and chromium, which is a typical kind of coil.”

E-cigarettes work by turning liquid into vapor which users inhale. The coils inside the devices are surrounded by the liquid and are similar to those seen in toasters.

Toxic metals in vape device coils

In December 2019, doctors discovered the metals in coils of e-cigarettes can leach into the liquid resulting in toxic metal-contaminated aerosols being breathed directly into the lungs. At the time, scientists looked at the case of a 49-year-old California woman with symptoms associated with vaping illness. After examining her lung tissue, they saw damaged cells in a pattern similar to an illness called hard-metal lung disease.

What are the symptoms associated with vaping illness?

Similar to the laboratory rat experiment mentioned above, the metals in the devices lead to the following:

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing 
• Wheezing

Carlson Can Help

If you or a loved one is living a vape lung injury, contact The Carlson Law Firm. A vaping lung injury lawsuit might be the best remedy for your situation. A qualified lung injury attorney from our firm can help you navigate the American legal system. In addition, a compassionate lawyer will work hard to get the kind of recovery you deserve. You do not have to face your injuries alone. Contact our firm at your earliest convenience to handle your situation with one of our firm’s resources. We are available to you 24/7.