|
|
Professor Donal O’Shea on Vaping and Lung Damage
Professor Donal O’Shea, a Professor of Chemistry at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, has been one of the most vocal advocates warning against the dangers of vaping.
In a detailed article for The Conversation, he explains that while diacetyl is a key concern, it’s not the only threat. The core issue lies in the sheer number of chemicals—over 180 different flavoring agents—currently used in vaping products. Many of these have not been tested for safety when inhaled, and heating them can produce new compounds with unknown long-term effects.
“There’s no way to definitively demonstrate that diacetyl caused the illness in a particular instance,” he explains. “However, that doesn’t eliminate the established dangers of breathing it in.”
The Cumulative Effect of Multiple Chemicals
When users inhale vape aerosol, they’re not just inhaling nicotine and flavoring—they’re exposing themselves to a complex chemical cocktail. When heated, these substances often transform into more toxic byproducts.
Other Hazardous Compounds Detected in Vape Aerosols:
- Formaldehyde – A known carcinogen that can cause respiratory and systemic toxicity.
- Acetaldehyde – An irritant linked to lung and airway inflammation.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – Such as benzene and toluene, associated with cancer and organ damage.
- Heavy Metals – Like nickel, tin, and lead, often leached from the vape coil itself.
The long-term exposure to even low levels of these compounds can accumulate, leading to chronic respiratory illness and, in some cases, the development of popcorn lung.
Popcorn Lung is Irreversible—Prevention is Critical
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of bronchiolitis obliterans is that it is not curable. Once the lung tissue is scarred, there is no way to reverse the damage. This makes treatment options limited and often ineffective.
Available Treatments:
- Bronchodilators – To open up airways and reduce wheezing.
- Steroids – To reduce inflammation, though long-term use carries risks.
- Oxygen therapy – For patients with decreased lung function.
- Lung transplantation – In severe, end-stage cases.
Given these options, prevention becomes the only real protection against the disease. This is why public health officials are urging people—especially the youth—to avoid vaping altogether.
