fbpx
ADVOCATES FOR THE INJURED
OUR PASSION IS TO OBTAIN JUSTICE

Heating Coils May Be Causing Lung Damage in E-Cigarettes

Published on Nov 5, 2020 at 8:55 pm in Product Liability.

E-cigarette with city in the background

E-cigarettes have become a popular alternative to regular cigarettes and other more traditional ways to consume nicotine. Other than the harm that nicotine, inhaling smoke, and the other assumed risks that regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes pose for consumers, studies are showing that parts of e-cigarettes may be causing lung damage for users.

When you’ve been injured by using an e-cigarette, then you could be eligible to recover financial compensation from the damages you suffered. An e-cigarette lawyer from Prince Law Firm in Illinois can help you investigate what caused your injuries and hold the at-fault party, whether that’s a company or manufacturer, responsible for their actions.

Dangers of Heating Coils in E-Cigarettes

E-cigarettes function by using a heating coil that turns the liquid into vapor so that it can be inhaled by the consumer. It was previously thought that the substances within the liquid were what caused more harm to a person’s lungs, but a recent study has shown that the heating coil and its function alone are what could be causing lung damage in e-cig users.

According to a study conducted by researchers at University of California, Irvine, and published by the Journal of the American Heart Association, the heating coils in newer e-cigarettes use nickel-chromium alloy, which is what makes them so harmful. Previously, the heating elements were made of stainless steel, and even though those were not completely safe for lungs, since they are still enabling a consumer to inhale a vapor at a high temperature, researchers found that damage was significantly worse when the heating coil was made of nickel-chromium alloy.

Researchers said that within an hour of their experiment, they found evidence of severe respiratory distress from the nickel-chromium alloy coils. The subjects experienced labored breathing, wheezing, and panting. When they examined the lung tissue, their findings were consistent and showed that the lungs were severely compromised. They found lung lesions, red blood cell congestion, obliteration of alveolar spaces, and pneumonitis.

These are all signs of severe lung damage. Let’s take a look at what this damage means for your lungs and your body.

How Lung Damage Affects the Rest of the Body

The lungs are one of the most important organs in your body. They work by bringing oxygen into your body and distributing it to the circulatory system. Air passes through the throat and into the lungs, where at the end of the tubes in them, there are sacs called alveoli. These alveoli are where the gas exchange happens, and oxygen is deposited into red blood cells to be carried through the rest of the body.

The findings from the study about e-cigs are so alarming because the damage they found in the lungs seriously affect the way they function. Two of the main findings were red blood cell congestion and the obliteration of alveolar spaces. This means that not only will less of the vital oxygen exchange happen in your lungs from less alveolar space, but the red blood cell congestion also means that the oxygen will have a harder time distributing to the rest of your body.

The body relies on red blood cells and oxygen to function, so these two side effects are severe and can be life-threatening. These serious side effects from vaping weren’t expected and most likely weren’t properly advertised on the warning labels, which means you could have a legal claim against the company for the damages you suffered. In that case, you’ll need a lawyer.

Prince Law Firm Will Represent You

At Prince Law Firm in Illinois, we have experience representing consumers who have been wronged by a company’s product. Our e-cigarette lawyer will be able to help you defend your rights and file a claim against the e-cig company whose product caused you damage.

After being diagnosed with your injuries, you might not know what options you have. With the help of one of our attorneys, you can examine your legal options and we can help you choose what would be the best for your situation. Reach out to our office today so we can discuss your potential claim and how we can move forward.

FREE CONSULTATIONS

LET US HELP YOU TODAY - CALL US 24/7

Want to speak to an attorney? Unsure if you have a case? Fill out the form below and we’ll reach out to you as quickly as possible.