E-cigs: A healthy alternative or a health hazard (pretty good TV report)

[Placebo Effect]

E-cigs: A healthy alternative or health hazard? - KSN TV, Kansas News and Weather

“The only thing it's skipping is the tar and smoke,” said Debbie Fox, respiratory specialist at Wesley Medical Center.

Fox is concerned that e-cigarette manufacturers are making claims that aren’t true. She points to a compound in the liquid solution called propolyne glycol, which can be harmful in large doses. Proponents argue ‘PG’ is already found in inhalers and makeup and is recognized by the FDA as ‘safe.’

Of all the things to point to as being potentially harmful in an e-cigarette, Debbie Fox choose PG? Ridiculous.

I recommend watching the video. There's a great animation that shows how e-cigs work, and they even have a clip of someone using an asthmatic inhaler.

 

[hairball]

I guess Debbie Fox feels that smoking is better? Yeah right! She needs to do more research BEFORE opening her mouth!

 

[Turnkeys]

"The only thing it's skipping is the tar and smoke."

People like this constantly stress me. "Stress occurrs when the body overrides the overwhelming urge to......

It would be nearly impossible to reach toxic levels by consuming foods or supplements, which contain at most 1 g/kg of PG

From the SAFETY segment of the Wikipedia Entry on PG.

It's truely aggrivating that 'they' continually seek comment from 'experts' who have no knowledge of the subject.

 

[Crumpet]

I left my two cents.....wish I'd have done it as Aunt Esther instead of Crumpet!

 

[Vocalek]

PROPYLENE GLYCOL

Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------

Inhalation:
No adverse health effects via inhalation.
Ingestion:
Relatively non-toxic. Ingestion of sizable amount (over 100ml) may cause some gastrointestinal upset and temporary central nervous system depression. Effects appear more severe in individuals with kidney problems.
Skin Contact:
Mild irritant and defatting agent, especially on prolonged contact.
Eye Contact:
May cause transitory stinging and tearing.
Chronic Exposure:
Lactic acidosis, stupor and seizures have been reported following chronic ingestion.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Kidney disorders.

 

[Crumpet]

Go comment, y'all.

 

[Brewlady]

Added my two cents too.

 

[afrazier5]

Being born and raised in this area, I'm ashamed with these guys. I too added my comments and appreciate Placebo for sharing this with the rest.

 

[Zurd]

Of all the things to point to as being potentially harmful in an e-cigarette, Debbie Fox choose PG? Ridiculous.

Of all the things to point to she can't even spell it.

 

[Placebo Effect]

Of all the things to point to she can't even spell it.

In her defense, that's the fault of either the reporter or the intern who transcribes the TV broadcasts for internet articles.

 

[ec!gg]

I think they forgot to spell check

 

[Zurd]

I think they forgot to spell check

I wouldn't be surprised that propylene glycol ain't in their dictionnaries, tho it is here on ECF

 

[kristin]

The "only thing" it's skipping is tar and smoke?

That's like complaining that the only thing missing from Clausthaler NA beer is the alcohol, but it still contains carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is poisonous in large doses, you know!

 

[Turnkeys]

It's a shame they can't support the same formatting for comments as for articles.

“The only thing it's skipping is the tar and smoke,” said Debbie Fox, respiratory specialist at Wesley Medical Center.

The ingredients in the liquid for e-cigarettes are well documented. Propylene glycol, nicotine, food flavoring, and distilled water.

According to Zachary Cahn, and Michael Siegel's recent study (1), 5,300 of the estimated 10,000-100,000 chemicals in cigarettes have been identified. Of these, according to the National Cancer Institute (2), 69 can cause cancer including: Arsenic, Benzene, Beryllium, Butadiene, Cadmium, Chromium, Ethylene oxide, Nickel, Polonium, Vinyl chloride. Formaldehyde, and yes, "the tar and smoke."

Propylene glycol is used in oral and injectable pharmaceuticals, a food humectant or moisturizer, many cosmetic products, food colorings and flavorings, inhalers and many others. It is classified by the FDA as GRAS. (Generally regarded as safe.) It would be nearly impossible to reach a toxic level by consuming foods or supplements containing PG. Toxicity could only occur by ingestion of large quantities, over a gallon, in a short period of time. The same could be said of most food additives in anyone's kitchen.


Debbie Fox's comments are uninformed, alarmist and without merit. I would expect more from a medical professional. For facts instead of fiction, visit casaa.org.


(1)
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/centers-institutes/population-development/files/article.jphp.pdf

(2)
Harms of Smoking and Health Benefits of Quitting - National Cancer Institute

That looks a lot better here than on their comment section. I do however hope they're forwarded on to her.

 

[afrazier5]

I tried to find an email address for her but wasn't able to locate it. Westley is huge and doesn't look like they publish them.

 

[Placebo Effect]

I tried to find an email address for her but wasn't able to locate it. Westley is huge and doesn't look like they publish them.

debbie.fox@wesleymc.com

I tried calling her work number 3 times -- no luck.

 

[Phreaker]

Go comment, y'all.

I did! Thanks for the heads up Placebo Effect

 

[Placebo Effect]

After I found the story, I e-mailed the reporter and thanked her for her accuracy, especially the part about PG. She got back to me today.

Thanks so much for writing . . . I’m so glad you enjoyed the piece. You are one of many e-cigarette users who I’ve heard from who have nothing but good things to say about them. Accuracy is certainly my main objective going into every story so I appreciate your feedback.

Hopefully we never have to lobby against anything in Kansas, but at least we know there's at least one solid reporter in the state.

 

[Brewlady]

I sent an email to Debbie Fox, and cc'ed the reporter

Dear Ms. Fox:

I am writing in regard to your comments on KSN TV's report on electronic cigarettes. I am a 50 year old college educated woman who started smoking at 13. I have tried many methods to quit, with no success. I purchased my first e-cig kit on August 6, 2010, and am happy to say, that was also the last day that I spent the insane $8.28 for a pack of cigarettes in Massachusetts.

I spent hours online researching the e-cig, and found that what the FDA was saying was simply not true. This product may not be 100% safe, but compared to the carcinogenic chemicals proven to be in cigarette smoke, I know that the vapor is safer.

Please visit CASAA | The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association This website contains a wealth of information that should interest you as a Respiratory Therapist. You can also read many success stories on CASAA's facebook page. Another source of information and testimonials that may be of interest to you can be found at www.e-cigarette-forum.com.

The electronic cigarette was invented to allow current smokers the option of continuing to use nicotine without the harmful effects of burning tobacco. I purchase the liquid I use from U.S. vendors who use only FDA-approved ingredients (nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavorings).

Many current smokers who would benefit by replacing their tobacco cigarettes with this reduced-harm alternative are scared by the FDA's misleading reporting of their findings. Please, this is literally a matter of life and death to smokers. I urge you to take the time to read the FULL report of the FDA findings, read what Dr. Micheal Siegel from Boston University's School of Medicine has published, and understand that this invention is currently being used successfully by thousands of Americans who have improved their health by choosing this alternative.

Thank you for your time.

 

[afrazier5]

Awesome email to her. Please let us know of her reply should she choose to do so.