Electronic cigarettes popularly known as e-cigarettes or e-cigs are special devices which use a liquid containing propylene glycol and glycerin with nicotine and other different types of artificial flavors – like chocolate, vanilla, blue berry, mango and many others. A lithium-ion battery, which is used to heat up the coils and aerosolize the liquid, powers these devices. The heat turns the liquid into vapor, which users inhale and exhale.
Over time, e-cigarettes have become popular among the young and the old alike. People of all ages use electronic cigarettes – they consider them to be a safer and better alternative to a regular cigarette. The main power source of these devices is a battery that aerosolizes the chemically-based artificial flavors and a liquid.
The battery and the heated coils are susceptible to overheating and exploding. Some e-cigarettes and vaping products have caused serious burn injuries to consumers. If you have suffered from an e-cigarette injury, it is essential to consider speaking with a personal injury attorney to see if the product you used had a manufacturing defect. An e-cigarette explosion can result in severe injuries, like third-degree burns, lacerations and loss of vital body parts such as the eyes, nose, teeth or tongue.
Apart from burns caused by an explosion, e-cigarette consumers inhale and exhale dangerous additives – which are as harmful as nicotine. The particles and artificial flavors can lead to lung diseases and the organic compounds and other heavy metals can cause cancer.
People have experienced different types of explosions caused by removable lithium-ion batteries. These accidental fires and explosion are more common than usual during normal use. Explosions caused by people carrying spare batteries in their pockets are also more common, as they also come with an explosion hazard.
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) drafted a law in 2016 where the agency extended its regulatory authority to all forms of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System or ENDS such as e-cigarettes and vaping products. Any electronic cigarette product released or replaced after Feb. 15, 2007, must submit a pre-market application to the FDA before release. The FDA will confirm its safety after a thorough inspection.
Ensuring the safety of you and others around you is essential while using an e-cigarette. When vaping or while attempting to replace the lithium-ion batteries, take all the necessary precautions.
If you wish to find out more about personal injuries and e-cigarette burn injuries in particular or schedule a free consultation, contact the offices of Robert Edens at (847) 395-2200 to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer.