As E-Cigarette Popularity Grows So Do the Concerns
Since being introduced to the United States in 2007, E-Cigarettes have grown to nearly a $2.5 billion industry with 466 brands saturating the market. They are popular for a number of reasons:
- They offer a variety of flavors to suit tastes of smokers and non-smokers alike
- Many restaurants and venues allow you to ‘smoke’ e-cigs indoors
- The health risks associated with traditional tobacco-based cigarettes do not compare to this new vapor option
Despite their popularity, there is a new risk coming to light that causes real concern: Explosions.
Multiple news reports are surfacing of e-cig users experiencing an explosion of the device causing burns to their hands, mouths, and eyes and in some more unfortunate cases, death. Speculation abounds for the cause of the explosions with most blaming faulty battery issues (most e-cigarettes use a lithium-ion battery–the same battery recently determined as the cause of explosions in Hoverboards). These explosions can happen when the device is being charged or if the device fails to re-set should the battery become overheated. In either case, injury reports are increasing.
Since no single public agency is responsible for collecting the data on these explosions, the actual number of incidents varies. Recent reports have shown the number of incidents range from 25 to 151 over a 6 year period. This is cause for great concern—especially for an industry with so little regulation.
The Cooper Firm will continue to follow the reports and provide information. For those who may have been injured while using an e-cigarette device, please contact our office for a complimentary case-consultation.
Source: http://www.safetyresearch.net