Study: Cannabis vapes send a toxic gas into the lungs

A new study reveals more evidence of the harms of vaping.

The study, conducted by researchers at Portland State University and published in the Journal of Chemical Research in Toxicology, claims that the process of heating cannabinoid acetates creates a toxic gas called ketene, which is harmful to the lungs.

Photo by Romain Blu via Unsplash

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Researchers tested various cannabinoid acetates and attempted to measure how much ketene was produced in a single puff of vape. They measured acetates like delta-8-THC, a compound not currently regulated by the FDA that is potent and crosses the blood-brain barrier more easily.

The researchers found that ketene is formed at lower than expected heat settings and that each puff releases a quantity of toxin that is dangerous to human health. Ketene is said to be so toxic to humans that it is even dangerous to test, making it difficult to measure its effects on the human body.

“The thing we’re most worried about is prolonged exposure, we don’t know what that is,” said Kaelas Munger, a graduate student and one of the study’s authors. “That’s why you need papers like ours. Otherwise people would be exposed to this really toxic substance and it’s really impossible to look for evidence.”

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Keten has previously been linked to EVALI disease, a condition that led to nearly 3,000 hospitalizations and deaths in 2019. The condition was ultimately linked to vitamin E acetate, which sparked an industry uproar, leading to the banning of several vape products and ongoing conversations regarding the risks of these items, particularly given that they are used by a young demographic.

Mounting evidence and controversy continue to cast vapes in a bad light. While some will continue to use these products for their convenience and convenience, many will think twice before purchasing a vape and consider flowers or edibles instead.