The FDA is gonna kill a lot of people!!!

On Wednesday, July 22, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a health alert regarding electronic cigarettes, also known as personal vaporizers (PVs). This alert reported that "a laboratory analysis of electronic cigarette samples has found that they contain carcinogens and toxic chemicals such as diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze." The full text can be found here: FDA and Public Health Experts Warn About Electronic Cigarettes

The toxicology report that the FDA points to is fairly consistent with previous testing done on the consumable liquid found in the PVs. There are trace amounts of Tobacco Specific Nitrosamines (TSNAs) present in these cartridges. The level of quantification for a positive hit for all four TSNAs in the FDAs report was 141 parts per billion (ppb), or 141 nanograms of TSNAs per gram of solution. In comparison, according to a study done by Irina Stepanov et al, unburned tobacco contains anywhere from 190 ppb to 9200 ppb. According to the same study, Nicorette gum contains 2 nanograms per piece, and Nicoderm patches contain 8 nanograms per patch. More research is needed to determine quantities delivered to the user in one use and over time.Diethylene Glycol presence is a real concern, and could have been an anomaly, a contaminate, or an additive. Out of the 19 cartridges tested, only one showed the presence of Diethylene Glycol at a concentration of less than one percent. The FDA's health alert references Diethylene Glycol as being the main ingredient in antifreeze. They seem to be confusing this substance with Ethylene Glycol, which is the actual product used in antifreeze, and an extreme toxin. A lethal dose of Ethylene Glycol is 100ml, with an LD50 for oral ingestion by lab rats marked at 4700 mg/kg. In comparison, the LD50 for oral ingestion by lab rats of Diethylene Glycol is stated to be 12565 mg/kg. As you can see, Diethylene Glycol is approximately three times less toxic than Ethylene Glycol.I urge you to publish an article showing both sides of this controversial issue. I feel that this is of major concern to the public health and safety, and should be researched and documented thoroughly. The electronic cigarette could really be a viable option for those who wish to cease smoking tobacco, and I feel that inflammatory comments from a trusted federal health organization are counterproductive and irresponsible.

I have attached some links that you may find useful should you choose to delve into this difficult subject. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

1) http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/S.../UCM173250.pdf
2) http://www.healthnz.co.nz/2ndSafetyReport_9Apr08.pdf
3) http://www.starscientific.com/404/st...0tsna%20in.pdf
4) http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/ma....htm#alternate
5) http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/o8764.htm
6) http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/E5125.htm
7) http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/8) http://www.ecassoc.org/response-to-the-fda/
9) Facts regarding the FDA Press Release - 7/22 (repost)