A few years have passed since vaping became mainstream, many people now consider it a “safe way to smoke,” or as a helpful tool to quit smoking traditional cigarettes. However, e-cigarettes may not be as safe and clean as some think; more and more studies are debunking the vape safety myth. Research now suggests that e-cigarettes are toxic to human airways, suppress immune defenses, alter inflammation, and boost the virulence of a dangerous pathogen — MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
Senior author of one such study, Laura E. Crotty Alexander, MD — a staff physician at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System and an assistant clinical professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine — stated, “This study shows that e-cigarette vapor is not benign — at high doses it can directly kill lung cells, which is frightening.” She continued, “We already knew that inhaling heated chemicals, including the e-liquid ingredients nicotine and propylene glycol, couldn’t possibly be good for you. This work confirms that inhalation of e-cigarette vapor daily leads to changes in the inflammatory milieu inside the airways.”
Inflammation caused by e-cigarette vapor
Researchers found that inflammatory markers, which are signs of full-body inflammation, increased by 10% in airways and blood of mice that inhaled e-cigarette vapors for one hour a day, five days a week, for four weeks, as compared to unexposed mice.
The study’s authors are still unsure as to which lung and systemic diseases may be caused by the inflammatory changes induced by e-cigarette vapor inhalation. Crotty Alexander said, “But based on clinical reports of acute toxicities and what we have found in the lab, we believe that they will cause disease in the end. Some of the changes we have found in mice are also found in the airways and blood of conventional cigarette smokers, while others are found in humans with cancer or inflammatory lung diseases.”
MRSA and vaping
Perhaps even more concerning is the effect vaping may have on MRSA. Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were observed to be better able to form biofilms, adhere to, and invade airway cells, while resisting human antimicrobial peptides after exposure to e-cigarette vapor. According to the research, this harmful pathogen actually benefits from exposure to e-cigarette vapor.
In a separate study involving a mouse model, some mice were infected with regular MRSA bacteria, while others were infected with MRSA bacteria that had been pre-exposed to e-cigarette vapor. The mice infected with regular MRSA bacteria survived, however, 25% of the mice infected with the vape-exposed MRSA died.
These alarming results were consistent with vape fluid from seven different manufacturers. As such, if you’re unsure about the data supporting vaping’s harm, it may be wise to approach the habit cautiously and wait for conclusive studies to determine its safety.
Final thoughts
Although vaping remains popular among those seeking to quit smoking or looking for a seemingly safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, more and more research is beginning to uncover the potential health risks of e-cigarettes. The potential side effects may include a suppressed immune system, inflammation in the airways and blood, and an increased risk of MRSA infections.
Until further research can demonstrate the safety of vaping or find a way to mitigate these harmful effects, it may be best to consider other methods for quitting smoking, such as nicotine patches, gum, or prescription medications. Always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new treatment.
