Study: E-cigarettes aren’t completely harmless

WASHINGTON — Though e-cigarettes are viewed as safer alternatives to regular
tobacco, a new study indicates they may be full of carcinogens, and far more
dangerous than anyone previously thought.

Researchers at the Japanese Ministry of Health analyzed various brands of e-
cigarettes and found
carcinogens such as formaldehyde at dangerously high levels — up to 10 times the
level found in the smoke from regular cigarettes.

E-cigarettes work by heating flavored liquid, which often contains nicotine, and
turning it into a vapor that is inhaled. They’re branded as healthier options because
smoke isn’t involved.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced plans to
regulate e-cigarettes in this country
. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention warn that e-cigarette use has tripled in
recent years
among American teenagers.

Follow @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up