Cedarville researchers test ‘juice’ for e-cigarettes

The growing popularity of e-cigarettes and the potentially harmful chemicals they may contain led the Dayton Daily News to commission a research study by Cedarville University of the liquid used to vape.

Associate professor of chemistry Nathan Hnatiuk led a research team of four students who tested two brands of e-cigarette liquid, or juice — Ruthless and NicQuid.

They were specifically looking for two potentially harmful ingredients that had been found in prior research by Marquette University.

The first was Diacetyl, which according to the CDC has been linked to airway damage or “butter lung,” which sickened workers at a microwave popcorn manufacturer.

The second was Pentanedione, a substitute for Diacetyl, which the CDC said also causes airway damage.

“We didn’t find the two chemicals that they were looking for which gives that buttery flavor,” said Hnatiuk.

They did find Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, and nicotine — in one sample it was less than what was listed on the bottle. They also found esters for flavoring, which is commonly used in food.

“When ingested, it gets into your body and gets out — not a problem. When it gets inhaled, on the other hand, it gets right into your bloodstream as that particular compound doesn’t get broken down. That can lead to potential side effects or harmful effects,” Hnatiuk said.

The most surprising finding, according to Hnatiuk, was “the variety and sort of lack of oversight. They don’t actually label what the flavorings are.”

An FDA rule announced in May will require juice manufacturers to show that their products meet applicable public health standards. But those tests and evaluations could take up to three years to complete, so in the meantime, it’s buyer beware.

Cedarville alum, Kevin Haffey, one of the students who conducted the research, said it was important to him because some of his friends vape.

“There are other things in there that could be dangerous that weren’t listed at all and there needs to be follow-up research,” he said. “There needs to be research done on sending the vapor through to see if any of these compounds change, and there needs to be research done on the more biology end to see if these compounds affect humans or rats.”

Recall list

"I don't know why they'd release a lamp that would be a shock hazard or a baby gate that doesn't even work. That's kind of dangerous," said Fairborn mom Kaitlin Lichty when I told her about the recent recalls announced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Here’s a rundown of some of the products under recall with links to more information:

Rachel Murray is a WHIO-TV consumer reporter. You can watch her reports on News Center 7, follow her on Twitter @RMurrayWHIO, and like her fan page on Facebook.

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