They have become all the rage: e-cigarettes, e-hookahs, hookah pens, and vaping or vape pens. But what are they really? Nicotine delivery devices for those addicted to traditional cigarettes and hope to wean themselves from their addiction or young adults attracted to the fad of “Vaping” and have fallen victim to shrewd marketing with sweet flavorings and bright colors. Mostly made in China, they lack quality controls, regulation, or oversight.
Flawed and unclean manufacturing processes could account for the presence of the heavy metals, carcinogens, and other dangerous compounds that have been detected in e-cigarettes. A study published in 2013 found tin, silver, iron, nickel, aluminum, and silicon fibers in e-cigarette vapors. Nanoparticles, so tiny that they penetrate deep into the lungs, of tin, chromium, and nickel were also detected.
One study found e-cigarette vapor contained hazardous nickel and chromium at four times the level they appear in traditional cigarette smoke.
In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA’) issued a warning about the potential health risks associated with e-cigarettes, saying laboratory studies of some samples had found the presence of toxic chemicals, including diethylene glycol, an industrial solvent used in antifreeze.
There have also been reports of e-cigarettes that exploded after a lithium ion battery or electric charger overheated, causing fires, burns, and shrapnel injuries.
The FDA does not yet have standards for e-liquids but is expected to act soon. For more information click here.

Every day, we at Terrell • Hogan, represent victims of personal injury and wrongful death as they seek justice, and lawsuits we have pursued have prompted safety changes.  However, that came after the incidents, accidents and injuries happened. We believe it is important to try to help prevent injuries and wrongful deaths. One way is to publish information about dangerous products.