Vaping-Related Lung Injuries: CDC Data Points to Black-Market THC Brands
Science

Vaping-Related Lung Injuries: CDC Data Points to Black-Market THC Brands

New CDC data links most EVALI cases to THC vaping products, with Dank Vapes accounting for over half. The agency warns that vitamin E acetate is associated with the illness, but other causes remain under investigation.

Keir Lane

Compiled by the editorial desk with reference to official statements and public health data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Federal health officials have identified specific THC vaping brands that appear to be driving an outbreak of severe lung injuries that has now claimed 48 lives and hospitalized more than 2,200 people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data on Friday showing that among patients who reported using THC-containing products, the majority named Dank Vapes — a label often applied to unregulated cannabis oils sold on the black market.

The findings, based on interviews with 2,291 patients with confirmed or probable cases of EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury), mark a step forward in understanding the outbreak first recognized this summer. According to the CDC, Dank Vapes accounted for 56% of the THC products used by patients. Other frequently cited brands included TKO (15%), Smart Cart (13%), and Rove (12%).

Why Dank Vapes Stands Out

Dank Vapes is not a single company but a packaging label that has been widely counterfeited and used to sell illicit cannabis cartridges, often containing unknown additives. The CDC's data suggests that these unregulated products are a major source of the illness, but the agency cautions that they are not the only one.

Notably, 20% of the 1,782 hospitalized patients for whom the CDC has complete data said they never vaped THC. This has complicated the investigation, as it indicates that other substances or product sources may also be contributing to the outbreak.

In its Friday update, the CDC reiterated that THC-containing products remain the most commonly reported type used by EVALI patients and that vitamin E acetate — a thickening agent sometimes added to black-market vape cartridges — is strongly associated with the illness. However, the agency emphasized that many substances and product sources are still under investigation and that there might be more than one cause.

Public Health Guidance

Given the uncertainty, the CDC is advising people to consider refraining from using all e-cigarette or vaping products while the investigation continues. This guidance is particularly directed at those who use THC-containing products, especially those obtained from informal sources like friends, family, or online dealers.

The new data provides a clearer picture of the outbreak's scope, but it also underscores the challenges facing health officials as they work to pinpoint the exact causes and prevent further cases. With deaths now reported in multiple states, the agency's message is one of caution rather than alarm, urging the public to weigh the risks while the scientific inquiry proceeds.

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