A vaping-related lung injury case closely resembles injury from exposure to hard metals such as cobalt, according to a case study published Dec 4. in the European Respiratory Journal.
Researchers studied lung injury in a 49-year-old California woman who had difficulty breathing after using a marijuana vape pen for six months, STAT reports. The woman's vaping-associated lung injury resembled metal pneumoconiosis, a condition often found among those who work with hard metals, researchers say. "Giant" cells characteristic of the disease were discovered in a biopsy of the woman's lung tissue.
Significant levels of cobalt were found in the patient's vaping pen liquid, supporting the diagnosis of giant cell interstitial pneumonia associated with inhaled cobalt. Nickel was also found in the e-liquid.
Researchers did not establish a direct link, however, since cobalt was not found in the woman's lung tissue, STAT reports. Instead, researchers believe the cause of vaping-related injury is multifaceted and recommend better regulation of vaping device liquid.