A scientific study published today by the journal Environmental Health Perspectives and carried out at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has raised concerns about a chemical found in over three quarters of flavoured e-cigarettes.
The chemical in question, Diacetyl has been linked to instances of severe respiratory illnesses including bronchitis obliterans, also known as ‘popcorn lung’.
They tested 51 types of flavoured e-cigarettes and found that diacetyl was present in 39 of the tested products.
E-cigarettes also contain other damaging chemicals such as formaldehyde.
The researchers who carried out the study are looking for urgent action to be taken and further investigations to be made regarding the safety of e-cigarettes.
