Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1187856
8 Working Nurse l WorkingNurse.com November 18, 2019–January 13, 2020 Vaping Lung Injury Update A common ingredient may become hazardous when inhaled T he number of confirmed deaths due to vaping- related lung injury has now reached 42, but there's finally some good news: CDC researchers have identified a possible cause of this mysterious illness. Zeroing in on a Cause Public health officials are now calling it EVALI: e-cigarette or vaping product-associated lung injury. As of November 13, there have been at least 2,172 cases in the U.S., includ- ing 42 deaths — at least three here in California. After examining samples from patients in 10 states, researchers have finally identified a possible common link: vitamin E acetate, an oily substance that some e-liquid makers use to dilute or thicken the liquid, especially in products containing THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana). Vitamin E acetate is a common ingredient in cosmetics and certain foods, and it isn't normally a health hazard in those forms. However, it could become a danger, explains CDC Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat, M.D., if it's vaporized in an e-cigarette and then inhaled, which puts the substance "right into the lungs, into the alveoli." Known and Unknown Risks Even if vitamin E acetate is the culprit in the recent cases of EVALI, it's far from the only potential danger of vaping. Various other ingredi- ents that are perfect- ly safe in other forms could become much more hazardous when aerosolized, a risk that is still poorly understood (few studies have examined the long-term effects of inhaling food-grade flavorants!). And, that's in addition to the well- known health risks of using nicotine or THC. The present outbreak also demonstrates that when it comes to vaping-related health risks, youth is no protec- tion; 79 percent of EVALI patients have been under 35. Some of the patients who've died were as young as 17 — and another 17-year-old patient recently needed a double lung transplant! WN ON THE QUICK Nursing & Healthcare News What other dangers lurk in the vapor? WCU cannot guarantee employment. For graduation rates, median debt of graduates completing these programs and other important information, visit westcoastuniversity.edu/disclosures To learn more about West Coast University and apply for this exciting opportunity please visit our Employment Page at WestCoastUniversity.edu West Coast University is a private university with the singular focus of educating health care professionals through student-centric learning and transformational education. We are seeking adjunct faculty to teach clinical classes at our Southern California campuses in the following areas—Medical Surgical, Pediatrics, OB-GYN, Mental Health, Fundamentals, Simulation Lab, and NCLEX Review. Come be part of our growing team f Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (Masters of Science in Nursing degree preferred) f Active California RN license in good standing f Current BLS certificate and at least 3 years of clinical RN experience providing direct patient care f Teaching experience is strongly preferred, but RN's with completed BSN and or MSN will be considered Successful candidates will have these qualifications: West Coast University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we seek candidates who desire to work in and serve an ethnically-diverse population.