Danger: E-cigarette explodes in man’s pocket
Electronic cigarettes, more commonly known as e-cigarettes or vapes, have been the subject of much controversy lately. While some manufacturers claim that they are safer than cigarettes, others claim that they are even more harmful and can harm the immune system even more than tobacco.
Josh Hamilton, an Owensboro, Kentucky resident is recovering from severe burns to his leg after an e-cigarette battery exploded in his pocket at a gas station.
“He was giving me money, he put his hand in his pocket, so suddenly there was fire. Big fire, and he was burning,” said Jassie Singh, who was working at the gas station during the incident.
Manoj Kumar, who was also working at the gas station at the time, grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed out the fire.
“Third degree burns all up and down my leg. Just had an Ecig battery blow up and catch fire inside my pocket! Ouch ow ow ow,” Hamilton posted on Facebook later that day. “These are actually all 2nd degree burns so hopefully won’t have to have surgery or skin graphs. But it’s too soon to tell I think,” he added.
This is not the first incident of an e-cig battery exploding. The University of Colorado Hospital Burn Center has treated four e-cigarette related burns since December. There have been many more reports of injuries all across the country.
“It’s not so much an issue of the e-vapor product but with the lithium batteries they are using, and most are mismatched to the charger,” Tom Kiklas of the Tobacco Vapor Electronic Cigarette Association told CNN.
Besides the dangers of severe injury and burns from exploding, e-cigs have been linked to lung disease in a Harvard study. They have also shown risks of poisoning lungs and weakening the immune system.
E-cigarettes use atomizers to create a vapor by heating up artificial juices and flavorings. They are not currently regulated by the FDA, except for e-cigarettes created for therapeutic purposes.
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E-cigarettes harm the immune system more than tobacco.
E-cigarettes poison the lungs and weaken the immune system.
E-cigarettes are linked to lung disease.
REFERENCES:
1. “Chemical Flavorings Found in E-cigarettes Linked to Lung Disease.” Harvard Gazette. Harvard Gazette, n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2016.
2. “E-cigarette Battery Exploded in His Pocket, Man Says.” CNN. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2016.
3. “Colorado Vapers Burned by Exploding E-cigarettes.” The Denver Post. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2016.
4. “Chemical Flavorings Found in E-cigarettes Linked to Lung Disease.” Harvard Gazette. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2016.
5. “Electronic Cigarettes (e-Cigarettes).” FDA.gov. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2016.
