Melissa M Arons1, Stephen R Barnes2, Rita Cheng3, Kelly Whittle4, Christopher Elsholz5, David Bui6, Stephen Gilley7, Alejandra Maldonado8, Nathan LaCross8, Kylie Sage8, Nathaniel Lewis9, Keegan McCaffrey8, Jordan Green8, Janae Duncan8, Angela C Dunn8. 1. Epidemic Intelligence Service, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Division of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta Georgia. 2. Utah Department of Health; National Foundation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 3. Utah Public Health Laboratory. Electronic address: rcheng@utah.gov. 4. Utah Bureau of Forensic Services. 5. State Bureau of Investigation, Major Crimes, Utah Department of Public Safety. 6. Epidemic Intelligence Service, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta Georgia. 7. Intelligence Division, Organized Crime, Utah Department of Public Safety. 8. Utah Department of Health. 9. Epidemic Intelligence Service, Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Utah Department of Health.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In the summer of 2019, e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) was detected in the United States. Multiple agencies reported illicit tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products containing vitamin E acetate (VEA) as a substance of concern. METHODS: As an expansion of the Utah Department of Health's response to EVALI, the Utah Public Health Laboratory and the Utah Department of Public Safety screened 170 products from 96 seizures between October 2018 and January 2020. Using Pearson's correlation coefficient, we analyzed the temporal correlation of national, and Utah specific case counts, and the percentage of seizures indicating VEA by month. RESULTS: The findings indicate strong and significant correlations between seizures indicating VEA and both the national (r = 0.70, p = 0.002) and Utah specific (r = 0.78, p < 0.001) case counts. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore that VEA should not be added to e-cigarettes, or vaping, products and the importance of collaboration with law enforcement when responding to outbreaks associated with illicit substances.
BACKGROUND: In the summer of 2019, e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) was detected in the United States. Multiple agencies reported illicit tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products containing vitamin E acetate (VEA) as a substance of concern. METHODS: As an expansion of the Utah Department of Health's response to EVALI, the Utah Public Health Laboratory and the Utah Department of Public Safety screened 170 products from 96 seizures between October 2018 and January 2020. Using Pearson's correlation coefficient, we analyzed the temporal correlation of national, and Utah specific case counts, and the percentage of seizures indicating VEA by month. RESULTS: The findings indicate strong and significant correlations between seizures indicating VEA and both the national (r = 0.70, p = 0.002) and Utah specific (r = 0.78, p < 0.001) case counts. CONCLUSION: These findings underscore that VEA should not be added to e-cigarettes, or vaping, products and the importance of collaboration with law enforcement when responding to outbreaks associated with illicit substances.
Authors: Terra Wiens; Joanne Taylor; Cory Cole; Stefan Saravia; Jason Peterson; Mark Lunda; Jamie Margetta; Paige D'Heilly; Stacy Holzbauer; Ruth Lynfield Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2021-10-25 Impact factor: 3.117
Authors: Maria Morel Espinosa; Benjamin C Blount; Liza Valentin-Blasini Journal: J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci Date: 2021-02-27 Impact factor: 3.205