JUUL is one of the most popular brands of e-cigarettes on the market. The design of the e-cigarette and the flavors offered are intriguing to both adults and children. However, JUUL may not have been completely honest regarding the contents of their e-cigarettes. This can lead to consumers inhaling dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde. If you or a family member developed a serious health condition after prolonged use of JUUL e-cigarettes, you should consult with an experienced Philadelphia e-cigarette injury lawyer. At the Reiff Law Firm, we are devoted to helping you hold e-cigarette companies like JUUL accountable for their negligent and deceptive practices. The Reiff Law Firm is here to explain whether JUUL e-cigarettes contain formaldehyde.
The Dangers of Formaldehyde
When at room temperature, formaldehyde is a flammable gas with a strong odor. Formaldehyde is used for a number of applications. For example, formaldehyde is often used in the manufacturing of various wood products. Other uses for formaldehyde include:
- Construction of insulation and other building materials
- Ingredient in glues, paints, lacquers, and paper
- Used as a preservative in medicines, cosmetics, dishwashing fluid, and a number of other household products
- Used as an ingredient in pesticides and fertilizers
Formaldehyde is typically emitted as a byproduct from combustion like those of cigarette smoke or the lighting of a gas stove. According to a study composed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), formaldehyde is also an ingredient that can be found in JUUL.
JUUL is an electronic cigarette that is modeled to resemble a flash drive. JUUL e-cigarettes are loaded with JUUL pods that contain e-liquid. The e-liquid contains a mixture of chemical compounds that is heated by the device to convert the e-liquid into an inhalable vapor. However, if the device does not properly heat the liquid in the pod, the user can end up taking a “dry puff.” A dry puff is when the e-fluid in the pod is not heated to the appropriate temperature, which can cause the e-cigarette to emit toxic vapor containing formaldehyde directly to the user.
Dry puffs of an e-cigarette over a long period of time can be dangerous since formaldehyde is a cancer-causing substance.
The NCBI has determined that while JUULs do emit some formaldehyde, they do not emit the high levels of formaldehyde that similar products made by other e-cigarette manufacturers. However, as JUUL comprises about 50% of the market sales for e-cigarettes and the number of injury cases involving e-cigarettes continues to climb, there is likely a connection between the two.
As e-cigarettes have not been available to consumers long enough for major studies to be conducted, it is dangerous for JUUL and other manufacturers of e-cigarettes to suggest that these devices are harmless. To learn more about the type of injuries that inhalation of formaldehyde can cause, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury attorney.
Cancer and Other Illnesses Caused by E-Cigarettes
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), JUUL pods and other e-cigarettes contain a number of chemicals that consumers may not be aware that they are inhaling. As mentioned, JUUL emits some level of formaldehyde when being used by consumers. The ACS has categorized formaldehyde as a cancer-causing substance. Specifically, overexposure to formaldehyde has been linked to leukemia, brain cancer, and nasopharyngeal cancer.
As there are still loose regulations on what makers of e-cigarettes have to disclose to consumers that use their products, many consumers are unaware of the other harmful substances contained in e-cigs like JUUL. Diacetyl is another dangerous substance often present in e-cigarettes. Diacetyl can cause an irreversible lung illness known as popcorn lung.
Popcorn lung also referred to as bronchiolitis obliterans, is when the tiny air sacs of the lung become restricted and congealed due to excessive inhalation of diacetyl. This lung illness can cause a person to suffer from a variety of signs and symptoms:
- Dry cough
- Heavy wheezing that is not brought on by asthma or a similar condition
- Shortness of breath that worsens with physical activity
- Excessive fatigue for no discernible reason
- Irritation and skin rashes around the eyes, mouth, nose, and other areas
This is not an exhaustive list. Currently, there are hundreds of cases concerning injuries related to JUULing and the use of other e-cigarette brands. There have also been six reported vaping-related deaths across the country. Carelessness by e-cigarette companies like JUUL may have ignited an epidemic that could affect both children and adults in the United States.
Work with Our Experienced Product Liability Attorneys Today
If you or family member developed lung disease after using JUUL e-cigarettes, contact an experienced Philadelphia product liability attorney today. The dedicated legal team at the Reiff Law Firm possess decades of combined legal experience, and we would be honored to use this knowledge to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. You should not bear the burden of severe illness and expensive medical bills due to the shady practices of a corporation. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact the Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online.
