Diacetyl in Vape: Risks, Facts, and Restriction
According to most health experts, vaping is significantly safer than using traditional tobacco products and can be a powerful tool to help you quit smoking. As the NHS puts it: "vaping exposes users to far fewer toxins and at lower levels than smoking cigarettes". That said, vaping is not risk-free. One of the concerns is the potential for developing a medical condition called popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans) due to inhaling diacetyl from e-juice. But is there any reason to worry? Is there even any diacetyl in vape juices? Let's find out!
Diacetyl in vape juice: let's clear up the confusion!
As we discussed in our article on vaping pros and cons, fearmongering around vaping products is not uncommon. A few years ago, some news outlets shared stories about allegedly developing popcorn lung from vaping due to diacetyl exposure. But what is the truth? Our experts will answer the most frequently asked questions about diacetyl in vapes to clear up the confusion!
What is diacetyl?
Let's start with the basics: what is diacetyl? According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, diacetyl is:
"Diacetyl (also called 2,3-butanedione) is a chemical that has been used to give butter-like and other flavors to food products, including popcorn."
In simple terms, diacetyl is a naturally occurring chemical found in many foods and beverages, including tea, coffee, beer, wine, milk, citrus juices, butter, yogurt, cheese, chicken, beef, and various fruits and vegetables. However, the synthetic form of diacetyl is sometimes added to certain food products to make them tastier.
Is diacetyl dangerous to eat?
Not at all! According to the FDA, diacetyl in foods and beverages is safe to consume. You do not need to worry the next time you take a sip of your favorite tea or orange juice.
What are the effects of inhaling diacetyl?
Inhaling high amounts of diacetyl can indeed cause serious damage to the lungs. One of the most cited cases occurred around 2000 when several workers at a U.S. microwave popcorn factory developed popcorn lung.
However, it is important to note that there has been no official case report of anyone developing popcorn lung from vaping. According to Cancer Research UK:
"E-cigarettes don't cause the lung condition known as popcorn lung. There have been no confirmed cases of popcorn lung reported in people who use e-cigarettes."
What is popcorn lung (bronchiolitis obliterans)?
Popcorn lung is a rare disease that damages the tiny airways in the lungs. It causes symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. This condition is permanent and progressively affects breathing over time.
Is there any diacetyl in vape juices?
No, there is no diacetyl in vape juices sold in the EU or the UK. Since 2016, there has been a ban on selling any e-juice containing diacetyl in these regions. If you buy from a reliable seller, you can be confident that vape juices are diacetyl-free.
Can diacetyl be found in traditional tobacco products?
Yes, many tobacco products contain added diacetyl. A 2014 study examined 14 different tobacco brands and concluded:
"Diacetyl is added to tobacco and is present in cigarette smoke. Fourteen commercial cigarette brands and one reference cigarette released 301–433 μg of diacetyl per cigarette. Peak exposures in smokers were not measured."
Switching to vaping from smoking can be a great step if you want to avoid inhaling harmful diacetyl.
How can I avoid buying e-juice that contains diacetyl?
Since diacetyl-containing e-juices are banned in the EU and UK, choosing a reliable vape store ensures you are safe. At Vape Global Store, we only sell diacetyl-free products.
Do Elf Bar, Vozol, or Juicy Jane vapes contain diacetyl?
No, Elfbar, Vozol, and Juicy Jane products sold in the EU and UK are 100% diacetyl-free.
Check out our wide selection of diacetyl-free vapes!
