14 DAY TRIAL // This past Thursday, scientists in Japan released a report saying that, contrary to what too many people assume, e-cigarettes aren't exactly safe. On the contrary, evidence at hand indicates that they might actually be more dangerous than regular tobacco.
Thus, the Japanese researchers say that, having carried out a series of experiments, they found that it can happen for e-cigarettes to contain about 10 times more cancer-causing chemical compounds than regular tobacco does.
How e-cigarettes work
Those of you who have used or are still using such devices are probably familiar with the ins and outs of e-cigarettes, but just to be thorough, let's take a few moments to do a recap: e-cigarettes work by heating a flavored liquid up to the point when it vaporizes.
It is the vapor that is produced by heating the flavored liquid that people inhale. Seeing how nicotine is more often than not added to the liquid that e-cigarette run on, these devices are said to be just like regular tobacco products, only without all the smoke.
Following the release of several studies linking smoking to all sorts of health conditions, cancer and heart trouble included, e-cigarettes have experienced quite a boost in popularity. In a nutshell, many people turned to them as an alternative to regular tobacco.
Are e-cigarettes really all that safe?
Not to burst anyone's bubble or anything of the sorts, but the fact of the matter is that, by the looks of it, e-cigarettes aren't a safe alternative to regular smokes. As mentioned, Japanese researchers say that, having taken the time to study several such devices, they found them to contain loads of carcinogens.
In their report, the researchers explain that, of the e-cigarettes they tested, many had toxic compounds such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde present in the vapor that they released, DM reports.
Of these two compounds, the former is commonly found in embalming fluids and building materials. Acetaldehyde, on the other hand, serves to make acids and other chemicals, the scientists behind this research project detail.
Interestingly enough, the scientists say that these two dangerous compounds were present in e-cigarette vapor in far greater concentrations than in the smoke released when folks puff on regular cigarettes. In fact, one brand was found to pack 10 times more carcinogens than ordinary smokes do.
Mind you, it's important to note that, at least for the time being, e-cigarettes are not regulated in Japan. It is understood that, following the release of this study and several other investigations showing that these devices could be a threat to public health, officials are looking into the possibility of controlling sales.
