Harmful chemical linked to rare factory lung condition is found in e-cigarette liquid

A potentially harmful chemical linked to lung disease has been found in an e-cigarette sold in Britain, it was claimed today. Diacetyl - a chemical safe to eat,

but not to inhale - was discovered inside a VIP butterscotch flavour liquid refill bottle purchased at the Metrocentre in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

Laboratory tests were carried out on four types of liquid, with the other three safe - but the butterscotch product has since been withdrawn.

Lynne White - head of retail distribution at VIP, one of Britain’s biggest e-cigarette firms - said the company had already detected the chemical through its testing, and the product should have been withdrawn a week before it was purchased.

She told BBC One investigative show Inside Out: ‘Because of the small amount the vaper would actually consume it was deemed in the short term there would be no health concerns.

‘Long term, yes there could well be - however, we decided it was a withdrawal rather than a recall of the product and that was based on Ecita (Electronic Cigarette Industry Trade Association) guidelines. This is our first issue in five years.

'We sell millions of bottles a year. We are very sorry it has happened, we are investigating how it has happened’.

Investigators spoke to Dr Graham Burns, a consultant physician in respiratory and general medicine.

Dr Burns, who works for Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: ‘Diacetyl - is associated with an unusual but well-established lung condition called "popcorn worker's lung".

‘It has been inhaled in significant quantities in people who worked in popcorn manufacturing factories. In those individuals it has caused a very serious lung condition.'

He added: ‘E-cigarettes are as yet entirely unregulated so at the moment if you go out on to the streets, buy an e-cigarette you have no idea and I have no idea what you are putting into your lungs.’

-Dailymail