A new study has identified a protein that nicotine-free vape fluid increases in the lung, causing damage including oxidative stress, inflammation and breakdown of the blood vessels.

The research, published in the journal Microvascular Research demonstrates a range of damaging pathways when an in vitro model of the human lung was exposed to a common brand of nicotine-free e-cigarette.

E-cigarettes have become increasingly popular in recent years and are often seen as harmless alternatives to cigarette smoking. It is estimated that there are almost five million ‘vapers’ in the UK, compared to around 700,000 in 2012.

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[–] verdantbanana@lemmy.world 3 points 8 months ago

the nicotine found in most vapes now days are the newer synthetic variety

after talking to the lab responsible we were told the main difference between synthetic and real is that the synthetic does not cause cancer

another difference is the real nicotine derived from the tobacco plant is usually sourced from India just like your kitchen spices like vanilla and is prone to contamination from ground pollution like heavy metals

synthetic nicotine solves several problems including reducing the strain on the planet by using less resources than required for growing large crops of tobacco

combine that with green chemistry which uses no heavy metals for a catalyst and you have a clean product

now onto flavorings

some such as isoamyl acetate for banana flavor are not very harmful to vape and is even used to test breathing equipment

extensive studies some on a global scale have been done to show the varying degrees of toxicity to nontoxicity on the various flavors

some flavorings are also good on the environment not only because of green chemistry but also with the newer technologies of reclaiming atoms and molecules from food waste

there is lab on the east coast of the US doing just that and making chemicals some for flavoring such as isoamyl acetate which has multiple applications

articles like this are deadest on turning back the clock on good science and good health