
KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
The reality is that the nicotine is just as addicting, and the long-term effects are just as damaging.
Now, there is news that there may be other issues that are associated with e-cigarettes that are not even found in traditional cigarettes. According to a journal in Scientific Reports, two chemicals widely used to flavor e-cigarettes could be inhibiting the function of cilia in the human airway.
Cilia are present in half of the cells that human airways have, and they play a very important role in keeping the airway clear of mucus and dirt, allowing people to get rid of debris without irritation.
A chemical called diacetyl, commonly used as a flavor in foods, can be dangerous when inhaled. According to the researchers, e-cigarette users are heating and inhaling the flavoring chemicals, which were never tested for inhalation safety — essentially human guinea pigs.