E-cigarettes can be carcinogenic. All because of the arsenic contained in liquids for electronic cigarettes. Research shows that the regular supply of arsenic to the body can lead to the development of lung, skin or kidney cancer. This suggests that e-cigarettes are not as safe as previously thought.
E-cigarettesmay becarcinogenic . All because of the inorganic compoundsarseniccontained in liquids for electronic cigarettes. As professor Jan Ludwicki from the Department of Toxicology and Risk Assessment of the National Institute of Public He alth - National Institute of Hygiene argues, this compound, regularly supplied to the body, may contribute to the development of lung, skin or kidney cancer.
Where does arsenic in e-cigarettes come from?
The liquid for filling e-cigarettes most often includes a mixture of propylene glycol and glycerin, as well as flavoring additives and possibly nicotine (there are e-cigarette liquids that do not contain this substance). However, recently, during an inspection by the Trade Inspection in one of the stores in Gdańsk, it turned out that a batch of e-cigarette liquids contains inorganic arsenic compounds. When the case was referred to the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station, the latter commissioned research at the National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw. Of course, the liquids have been withdrawn from the market, but such situations may repeat themselves, because the control of e-cigarettes in Poland is difficult due to the lack of legal regulations regarding their admission to trading.
Arsenic in e-cigarettes is harmful
Arsenic from e-cigarettes can get into the body through the respiratory and digestive tract. In case of continuous exposure to inhalation of arsenic compounds, it may cause skin inflammation, conjunctivitis and pharyngitis, as well as irritation of the mucous membranes and rhinitis. If arsenic enters the body through the alimentary system (part of the aerosol can be absorbed by the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract from where, as a result of expectoration, it can get into the digestive system), various troublesome symptoms from the digestive system and the development of m. in anemia, as well as damage to the kidneys and liver.
ImportantArsen is carcinogenic!
Scientists have long demonstrated a link between exposure toinorganic arsenic compounds and cancer incidence. If you regularly inhale arsenic compounds, it may develop lung cancer. Conversely, exposure to arsenic compounds via the gastrointestinal tract increases the risk of skin, bladder, kidney and lung cancer development. Consequently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified inorganic arsenic compounds as Group 1 human carcinogens, i.e. proven to be carcinogenic to humans.
How exposed to arsenic are e-smokers?
This question cannot be answered unequivocally, because it is not known how much aerosol penetrates the body while smoking an electronic cigarette. However, there is no doubt that the presence of inorganic arsenic compounds in an e-cigarette liquid is unacceptable. All because of the proven toxic effect of arsenic and its inorganic compounds. There is also concern that the presence of arsenic compounds in the liquid for e-cigarettes has no technological justification. The presence of such a harmful substance in e-cigarettes is unacceptable also because they are perceived and advertised as a safe alternative to smoking.