Analysis of Cannabinoid-Containing Fluids in Illicit Vaping Cartridges Recovered from Pulmonary Injury Patients: Identification of Vitamin E Acetate as a Major Diluent

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Published: 2020

Resource Notes:

From Conclusion:

The number of confirmed cases of EVALI has risen steadily. As of December 12, 2019, the CDC reports that there have been 2409 hospitalized cases of EVALI from all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, resulting in 52 deaths in 26 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. As of December 10, 2019, NYSDOH has received reports of 205 EVALI cases from all regions of the state, including two deaths. Our analysis of vaporizer fluids continues. As of December 12, 2019, the Wadsworth Center has analyzed 206 vaporizer fluids from 61 NYS EVALI cases. Of these, 147 contained THC, and 59 contained nicotine. Of the 147 THC-containing fluids, 101 (69%) contained VEA. There is additional evidence of a strong association of VEA with EVALI. In the initial analyses of bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from EVALI patients, 28 of 28 fluids contained vitamin E acetate. Extensive in vitro and in vivo studies will be required to establish a causative role of VEA and/or other agents in the etiology of EVALI.

Controversies:

None to date.

Publishing Source:

Toxics

Authors:

Duffy, B.; Li, L.; Lu, S.; Durocher, L.; Dittmar, M.; Delaney-Baldwin, E.; Panawennage, D.; LeMaster, D.; Navarette, K.; Spink, D.

Citations:

Duffy, B.; Li, L.; Lu, S.; Durocher, L.; Dittmar, M.; Delaney-Baldwin, E.; Panawennage, D.; LeMaster, D.; Navarette, K.; Spink, D. Analysis of Cannabinoid-Containing Fluids in Illicit Vaping Cartridges Recovered from Pulmonary Injury Patients: Identification of Vitamin E Acetate as a Major Diluent. Toxics 2020, 8, 8.