This summer, there have been over 215 cases of mysterious and deadly illnesses, related to vaping. Teens and people in their late 20’s have been the targets. They come into the hospital with a fever, extreme shortness of breath, and after several days of vomiting. However, treatment hasn’t been so fast and simple. The patients claim they have no idea as to what they inhale or put into their body. Health investigators are trying to now find out the ingredient in vapes that cause such illness. They suspect it to be a toxin of some sort that could be added into the supply of vaping products.

Vaping works by heating liquid and turning it into steam that can be inhaled from e-cigarettes.. Even though e-cigarettes are supposed to be less harmful than normal cigarettes, vapes have their own detriments. Nicotine or THC, the high inducing chemical in marijuana, is mixed with solvents to dissolve and deliver the drugs. The oils/solvents heat up to then become vapor. However, if some oil droplets are left over as the liquid cools down, it may be what causes breathing problems and lung inflammation.

Some vaping ingredients are not listed on the products. According to health officials, Vitamin E and vegetable glycerin are common substances in e-cigarettes. The regulation of these ingredients would help to determine what causes the illness. But, companies who sell vapes such as “Juul” claim that they don’t know what evidence connects them to the injuries caused by their products. Unless someone takes responsibility or unless there are stricter regulations of these ingredients, the cause of the epidemic will be a mystery.