New vaping-related lung injury resembles condition from exposure to hard metals

PATIENT'S LUNG TISSUE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE (LEFT) AND HEALTHY LUNG TISSUE UNDER THE MICROSCOPE (RIGHT) (KIRK JONES, UCSF)

In a case study, researchers report what may be the first instance of a vaping-associated lung injury resembling a condition found among those who work with hard metals. Known as hard metal pneumoconiosis, the condition usually arises after exposure to metals such as cobalt in jobs like tool sharpening. In the report, a 49-year-old woman in California had trouble breathing and reported using a marijuana vape pen for six months. A biopsy of her lung samples showed “giant” cells characteristic of the disease. An analysis of her vaping pen's liquid showed the presence of hard metals, including cobalt and nickel. Although the researchers couldn’t find cobalt in the patient’s lung tissue samples — and establish a direct link — they suggest better regulation of what goes into vaping devices to avoid the possibility of disease.