King County Confirms New Vaping-Linked Lung Injury Case

KING COUNTY, WA — Health officials have confirmed a sixth lung injury case associated with vaping in King County. In a statement Friday, King County Public Health said the latest patient is a man in his 20s who was hospitalized with severe lung disease and is recovering. Since September 20th, six cases have been positively linked to the use of vapor products in the county, with a seventh case listed as probable.

According to the latest data from the CDC, almost 2,200 people across the nation have suffered lung injuries related to vaping, and 42 people have died. A new study suggests vitamin E acetate may be an ingredient responsible, but researchers have yet to determine how many chemicals could play a role. The study found vitamin E acetate in the lungs of all 29 patients they examined.

Last week, Washington's Liquor and Cannabis Board asked marijuana processors to immediately stop using the acetate in their vapor products and requested pot shops stop selling all products containing the ingredient. According to the state Department of Health, 15 cases have been identified in Washington since April, and 67 percent of patients are male.