The number of deaths associated with the consumption of e-cigarettes has increased to at least three in the United States. A fourth death is still under consideration. "We know of three dead and one case being investigated," said Dana Meaney-Delman of the US Department of Health CDC. Overall, the authorities have now been reported 450 possible diseases in more than 30 states.
In the United States, the reports of unexplained lung disease, which occur after the consumption of e-cigarettes, had accumulated in recent weeks. Symptoms ranged from difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and chest pain to cases of gastrointestinal disorders with vomiting and diarrhea. Many of those affected had so-called liquids - liquids that are vaporized - with the psychoactive cannabis drug THC consumed.
Read more about the danger of the e-cigarette here
The Washington Post had reported on Thursday from a trail to a potentially responsible substance. This can be found in various brands and in several of the liquids. It was a so-called vitamin E acetate, the investigators had found in samples of cannabis products that had previously smoked the patients.
Vitamin E occurs naturally in various foods such as oils or nuts. As the Washington Post reported, because of its molecular structure, the substance may become hazardous by inhalation. In Germany, liquids for e-cigarettes may generally not be added to vitamins. Even THC-containing liquids may not be sold in this country.
