This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.

FDA, CDC outline steps to combat pulmonary disease possibly linked to vaping

In a statement released today by the FDA, as of Aug. 27, one death and 215 possible cases of severe lung disease associated with use of e-cigarettes, or vaping, have been reported in 25 states and additional reports are under investigation.

The FDA and the CDC also issued updates on how they are working with other entities to combat the problem.

As Healio Pulmonology previously reported, the FDA has joined CDC and state departments in investigating this rash of respiratory illnesses. Currently, states are completing their own investigations and verifications of cases based on CDC’s recently released standardized case definition.

“Even though cases appear similar, it is not clear if these cases have a common cause or if they are different diseases with similar presentations, which is why our ongoing investigation is critical,” Norman E. "Ned" Sharpless, MD, acting commissioner of the FDA, said in the statement. “CDC and the FDA are providing consultation to state health departments and working closely with them to gather information on any products or substances used. For example, our agencies are working to standardize information collection at the state level to help build a more comprehensive picture of these incidents. This includes investigating the brand and type of e-cigarette products, whether any of them are products that would fall within the FDA’s regulatory authority, as well as where they were obtained.”

In addition to communications with state health officials and federal agencies, the FDA has been providing laboratory assistance. The agency reports having received about 80 samples and continues to receive requests from states to send more samples for the FDA to analyze. A number of samples, which represent a variety of different types of products and substances, contain incomplete information about the product.

“The FDA is analyzing those samples for their contents, whether they contain nicotine, substances, such as THC or other cannabinoids, or other chemicals and ingredients. The results of that testing will be shared with the respective states to aid in their investigations and will help inform the federal response,” Sharpless said in the statement.

At present, no one product appears to be involved in all cases, even though THC and cannabinoid use has been reported in many cases, nor do officials know the specific substances within e-cigarette products that cause illness.

CDC today also issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory that has several recommendations for clinicians regarding questioning patients about e-cigarette use, reporting potential cases to state and local health departments and determining whether any remaining product is available for testing, among others. The advisory also contains recommendations for public health officials and patients.

Regardless of the investigation, the FDA states that children and adolescents, pregnant women and adults who do not currently use tobacco products should not use e-cigarette products. The agency also strongly cautions against buying products such as THC or other cannabinoids off the street as well as modifying e-cigarette products or adding any substances that are not intended by the manufacturer.

“CDC and the FDA will continue to advise and alert the public as more information becomes available,” Sharpless said in the statement.

Healio Pulmonology is closely monitoring this story and will update the article as new information becomes available. – by Melissa Foster