A clerk at a GS25 convinience store removes liquid type e-cigarettes from the shelves on Oct. 24, 2019. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 6 (Korea Bizwire) — The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Sunday that some ingredients in liquid e-cigarettes were confirmed to be toxic in cell and animal experiments.
The ministry, however, noted that thus far in South Korea, there have been no reported cases of acute lung disease or death resulting from the use of liquid e-cigarettes
In October last year, there were reported cases of lung injuries and death resulting from the use of liquid e-cigarettes in the U.S., with some suspected cases also being reported in South Korea.
To collect related cases, the government organized a private-public joint investigation team and carried out cell and animal experiments.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the survival rate of cells declined in a certain density of propylene glycol, glycerin, and flavor chemicals among the ingredients of liquid e-cigarettes.
In particular, propylene glycol and glycerin, which are used as solvents, were found in all of the 112 liquid e-cigarette products that are distributed in the domestic market.
Three types of flavor chemicals – diacetyl, acetoin, and 2.3-pentane dione – that have received been identified as causing lung disease in the U.S. and Britain were detected in eight liquid e-cigarette products.
In an animal inhalation experiment, toxins were detected in the respiratory system when the dose of lung-damaging ingredient vitamin E acetate was increased up to 3.125 mg/kg.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
