Breakthrough In CDC Vaping Illness Investigation: Vitamin E Acetate And THC May Be To Blame

(CNN) — Vitamin E acetate, in combination with THC, may be to blame for a national outbreak of e-cigarette-related lung injuries that’s linked to dozens of deaths, according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials. Dr. Anne Schuchat, the principal deputy director of the CDC, said she would characterize it as a breakthrough in the agency’s investigation, although more tests are necessary. “These new findings are significant,” Schuchat said during a press briefing on Friday. “We have a strong culprit.” CDC found vitamin E acetate, an additive in some THC-containing products, in all lung fluid samples from 29 patients w/ e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury. Avoid THC-containing products, esp from informal sources. https://t.co/rm5O0Lz8xu pic.twitter.com/Z7kjNVeSYd — CDC (@CDCgov) November 8, 2019 There is still more work to do and the CDC said it is continuing to test for a wide range of chemicals. “This does not rule out other possible ingredients,” Schuchat said. “There may be more than one cause.” The CDC says its tests found vitamin E acetate in samples taken from 29 patients who were sick with vaping-related illness in 10 states. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, or its metabolites were detected in 23 of 28 patients. During the press briefing, CDC’s Dr. James Pirkle described vitamin E acetate as R...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Health News Syndicated CBSN Boston CNN Vaping Source Type: news