Chemical diluents and pesticides: what vapers buy on the US black market

Since the beginning of summer, 2019 has been reporting almost daily about new e-cigarette victims in the United States. Today, almost every state has sick people. Writes about it "Voice of America".

Фото: Depositphotos

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed another 18 death and 805 new cases of lung disease per week, recording the number of victims at the 1080 level.

In an investigation of a growing epidemic that broke out in early summer and spread nationwide, the CDC, in partnership with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and local state health authorities, received information about 771 patients: 69% of them are men; 62% age 18-34; 16% of teens up to 18 years old.

So far, scientists cannot determine the specific factor leading to "chemical injury to the lungs."

At this stage, there is a tendency: most patients smoked marijuana vapors for 30 days before the onset of symptoms.

On the subject: Research: vapes cause smoker's circulatory changes from first use

In 77% of the tested cartridge samples that were taken from patients, the psychotropic component of marijuana tetrocanabidiol (THC) was found.

“The latest national and regional findings suggest that THC-containing products play a significant role in the outbreak,” the CDC said in a statement.

The FDA, the institution responsible for regulating the market, in turn, called on the public to stop using THC cartridges and any other clandestine products, as a significant number of patients admitted to purchasing vaping products on the black market.

The first reports of the disease came from Wisconsin, a state that has prohibited cannabis - “Prohibition”. At least 52 cases have been recorded there. In districts and cities California, which also has a ban on legal cannabis, with 98 cases and two deaths linked to the black market. In Minnesota, local health officials said that in each of the 15 cases, patients also reported smoking unlicensed THC cartridges.

On the subject: Already 15 deaths in the USA: why vaping is so popular and why smokers die

The CDC notes that when testing questionable products, it takes into account a wide range of chemical components harmful to health - from nicotine, THC and other cannabinoids to opioids, cutting agents, and additives such as pesticides, poisons, toxins and chemicals. At the same time, doctors study the affected organs of patients.

As a result, first study of five North Carolina patients, the CDC classified the disease as lipoid pneumonia. In the lungs of patients, immune cells were found to be filled with fat. Doctors from the University of Utah also made this diagnosis; they found similar cells, “lipodibi macrophages” in six patients. This is a rare form of pneumonia commonly found in older people who accidentally inhale oil. Scientists published their findings in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Recently published in a magazine another study by Mayo Clinic pathologistswho studied lung biopsies of 17 patients with a history of smoking marijuana or cannabis oil. However, their results did not confirm the preliminary theory of the disease. One of the main authors of the CDC study explained that the mismatch may be related to the way a number of biopsies are handled.

However, observers and experts in the field of marijuana pay attention to "vitamin E", tocopheryl acetate, which is used to thin the THC oil. Health officials across the country are reporting “contaminated” cartridges. In particular, New York confirmed the presence of a synthetic pollutant in most samples. The state has already launched an investigation against several oil companies. They started selling cheap solvent in the unregulated market, primarily vapors at the end of 2018.

On the subject: Death and hospitalization of vapers: what really happens

Licensed vapmakers claim that they do not use chemical diluents, as confirmed by one of the leading laboratories at CannaSafe. She conducted an independent examination of 18 cartridges with THC purchased from legal stores and from unlicensed dealers in California. The examination also found that counterfeit 13 from 15 probes contained “Vitamin E”, while the pesticides test in 10 from 10 confirmed their presence. All products from the black market contained myclobutanil and fungicide; they can turn into hydrocyanic acid during smoking. Neither pesticides nor vitamin E were found in licensed cartridges.

Since the US government does not have time to control the e-cigarette industry and the thriving black market, the US Department of Health in September announced a total ban for flavored vapes, a nationwide investigation is ongoing. In some states where cannabis is legalized, the ban also covers marijuana products.

The FDA and the US Criminal Investigation Service are urging local authorities to inform clandestine organizations. In Milwaukee, in particular, at the prompt of a “worried local” last week, police discovered nearly a million dollars in cash and more than 10000 TGK cartridges in the home of a pair of dealers.

On the subject: Scientists have identified a possible cause of death due to vaping

Experts say the supply chain begins in China, where cartridges and all the necessary ingredients are sold for both the THC and nicotine markets, and all those who choose unlicensed vapes are at risk.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Scientists have identified a possible cause of death due to vaping

Already 15 deaths in the USA: why vaping is so popular and why smokers die

The surge of youth vaping in the United States: more than a thousand people have already suffered

'May grow to hundreds': US e-cigarette deaths skyrocket

Death and hospitalization of vapers: what really happens

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