Potential for release of pulmonary toxic ketene from vaping pyrolysis of vitamin E acetate

2020/03/10 by Dan Wu, Donal F. O’Shea · 1 citation
Chemistry · Medicine · #Cardiovascular Effects of Exercise #Chemistry #Intensive care medicine #Ketene #Medicine #Organic chemistry #Restraint-Related Deaths #Smoking Behavior and Cessation

paper · pdf · doi:10.1073/pnas.1920925117

openalex publication_date 2020/03/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/14

Abstract

A combined analytical, theoretical, and experimental study has shown that the vaping of vitamin E acetate has the potential to produce exceptionally toxic ketene gas, which may be a contributing factor to the upsurge in pulmonary injuries associated with using e-cigarette/vaping products. Additionally, the pyrolysis of vitamin E acetate also produces carcinogen alkenes and benzene for which the negative long-term medical effects are well recognized. As temperatures reached in vaping devices can be equivalent to a laboratory pyrolysis apparatus, the potential for unexpected chemistries to take place on individual components within a vape mixture is high. Educational programs to inform of the danger are now required, as public perception has grown that vaping is not harmful.

Cited by

• Ethenone [wikipedia]

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