JUUL Vapor Contains Respiratory-Irritating Chemical that is Banned from Use in Cigarettes

Researchers at Yale University identified the presence of vanillin, a flavoring that irritates the respiratory system, in the vapor of JUUL e-cigarettes. The flavoring is banned from being used as an ingredient in traditional cigarettes, as it can produce irritating effects when combined with acetals and inhaled. Acetals are chemical reactions that occur in the production of vapor. In certain industries, workers are exposed to vanillin which can cause irritation if inhaled in significant quantities. This risk lead to the establishment of allotted exposure limits for those industries — according to researchers, the levels in JUUL pods are close to those limits. As reported in the Hartford Courant, Duke University’s Sven-Eric Jordt, who co-authored the Yale study, commented: “We were surprised that levels in JUUL vapor were already close to safety limits for workplaces where vanillin is used, such as in bakeries and the flavor chemical industry.” The study, which was published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, researched the presence of vanillin in flavored JUUL pods, including their “Crème Brulée,” “Cool Cucumber,” and “Fruit Medley” flavors. Lindsay Andrews, a spokesperson for JUUL, refuted the researcher’s claims of dangerous vanillin levels in their vapes. She stated that the scope of the study did not focus on real-life scenarios of JUUL use, and was therefore inaccurate. E-cigarettes were initially marketed as a safer alternative to smoking. However, more research into the effects of their use has revealed hazards that are unique from traditional cigarettes. JUUL in particular has faced criticism for contributing to nicotine addiction in teenagers, through marketing tactics and the sale of flavored pods. At Williams DeClark Tuschman Co., L.P.A., our attorneys are committed to providing families affected by e-cigarette addiction with quality legal representation. JUUL and other vape companies have disregarded the safety of consumers in the pursuit of profit, and can be held liable for their negligence. Schedule a free consultation with our team through our contact form or by calling (419) 719-5195.