The center of a nationwide concern is now at Prisma Health-Upstate. The health system reported six possible cases of severe pulmonary disease related to electronic cigarette use to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Tuesday. “It’s actually nothing else other than insane that we have substances that we are inhaling,” said Dr. Armin Meyer, a pulmonologist at Prisma Health. “Our lungs are made to inhale oxygen and air, and we are actually burning substances and inhaling and we have no idea what they’re doing to us.” Meyer recommends people stay away from using e-cigarettes, also known as vaping. Experts said signs of pulmonary disease related to vaping include breathing difficulty, shortness of breath and chest pain before hospitalization. “What we see it looks more like acute inflammation and that would be similar to a person with a viral infection that is severe,” Meyer said. A spokesperson for DHEC confirmed three cases statewide Tuesday. The spokesperson said the agency is also investigating eight other cases across South Carolina. Severe pulmonary disease is connected to seven deaths nationwide, and severely injured Logan Walters, a teenager in the Charlotte area who spent five days in the hospital using a breathing device. “They showed us on the X-ray in between his ribs were filled with this gel-like substance,” his mother, Stephanie, told WCNC in Charlotte. U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan said in a statement to WYFF News 4: “I am alarmed at the vaping related deaths and illnesses that have come to light in recent weeks. As a Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee which has jurisdiction over much of the industry, I am interested to learn more about the issues at hand related to all non-tobacco alternatives.” Vaping activists, like JD Miller, believe homemade THC-based products are to blame for the deaths.”Yes, they were vaping,” he said. “But they were vaping illegal Dank THC cartridges. You have three major brands that are counterfeit and not sold legally on the market.”A representative for DHEC said the agency will create a tab on its website next week alerting people to cases of vaping-related illnesses.
GREENVILLE, S.C. —
The center of a nationwide concern is now at Prisma Health-Upstate.
The health system reported six possible cases of severe pulmonary disease related to electronic cigarette use to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Tuesday.
“It’s actually nothing else other than insane that we have substances that we are inhaling,” said Dr. Armin Meyer, a pulmonologist at Prisma Health. “Our lungs are made to inhale oxygen and air, and we are actually burning substances and inhaling and we have no idea what they’re doing to us.”
Meyer recommends people stay away from using e-cigarettes, also known as vaping. Experts said signs of pulmonary disease related to vaping include breathing difficulty, shortness of breath and chest pain before hospitalization.
“What we see it looks more like acute inflammation and that would be similar to a person with a viral infection that is severe,” Meyer said.
A spokesperson for DHEC confirmed three cases statewide Tuesday. The spokesperson said the agency is also investigating eight other cases across South Carolina.
Severe pulmonary disease is connected to seven deaths nationwide, and severely injured Logan Walters, a teenager in the Charlotte area who spent five days in the hospital using a breathing device.
“They showed us on the X-ray in between his ribs were filled with this gel-like substance,” his mother, Stephanie, told WCNC in Charlotte.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan said in a statement to WYFF News 4:
“I am alarmed at the vaping related deaths and illnesses that have come to light in recent weeks. As a Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee which has jurisdiction over much of the industry, I am interested to learn more about the issues at hand related to all non-tobacco alternatives.”
Vaping activists, like JD Miller, believe homemade THC-based products are to blame for the deaths.
“Yes, they were vaping,” he said. “But they were vaping illegal Dank THC cartridges. You have three major brands that are counterfeit and not sold legally on the market.”
A representative for DHEC said the agency will create a tab on its website next week alerting people to cases of vaping-related illnesses.
