NBC News commissioned laboratory tests of knock-off marijuana vapes that found a pesticide linked to hydrogen cyanide in 10 out 10 products.
Some 12 people have died from mysterious lung illnesses linked to vape pens, and 805 others have been hospitalized in 46 states, according to federal health officials.
It's probably not a good idea to inhale cyanide.
The products all contained myclobutanil, a fungicide that can transform into hydrogen cyanide when burned.
Oregon's state health authorities put it bluntly:
"Public Health Warning: People should stop vaping immediately" reads the headline on a press release from the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon's top state governing body for a variety of health initiatives and programs.
At least two people have died in Oregon from vape-related illnesses, with a total of five vape-related illnesses reported throughout Oregon, with more reported throughout the nation, according to state officials.
“People should stop vaping immediately,” said Dean Sidelinger, MD, state health officer. “If you vape, whether it’s cannabis, nicotine or other products, please quit. These are addictive substances, and we encourage people to take advantage of free resources to help them quit.”
He added: “If you haven’t started vaping, don’t start.”
I don't know about the "free resources" part, but it seems reasonable to regard vaping with suspicion.
