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The Los Angeles Times reported on October 1, 2015 that although e-cigarettes  have been available for sale in the United States since 2007, and constitute a multibillion-dollar industry with more than 2.5 million users, most people have little information about the risks.

• A 23-year-old from Destin, Florida, was injured July 2015 when the e-cigarette he was using exploded inside of his mouth. The explosion burned his cornea and hand, and fractured his neck and his finger. It also blew a hole through his palate while flames caused first-degree burns on his chest and face, according to Cosmopolitan
• A 21-year old Naples man was injured October 2015 when an e-cigarette he was using exploded in his face. The man sustained burns to his face and also inhaled a piece of the e-cigarette, causing internal injuries, according to the Tampa Tribune.
• The Los Angeles Times reported October 13, 2015 that a Riverside California Superior Court jury awarded a woman $1.9 million in a product liability lawsuit brought against the e-cigarette distributor VapCigs; its wholesaler Cartons 2 Go and the Corona store where she bought the e-cigarettes, Tobacco Expo. The woman’s e-cigarette exploded in her car after she plugged it in to charge her e-cigarette battery. The explosion caught her dress and seat on fire resulting in second-degree burns on her legs, buttocks and hand. 

What are e-cigarettes?

Dr. Brand Drummond, assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine said that e-cigarettes are made to look like the real thing. As the user inhales, it glows. As he/she exhales, a cloud puffs out which looks like smoke, but it is vapor which is similar to a fog. Using e-cigarettes is called “vaping”.  All e-cigarettes work the same way using a battery, a heating element and a cartridge that holds nicotine and other liquids and flavorings, and they have refillable cartridges.

What is the cause of the explosions?

According to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), more than 25 separate incidents of e-cigarette explosions and fires were reported in the United States between 2009 and 2014. Eighty percent of explosions happen during charging. The common link is the lithium battery.  When the battery overheats, it ignites the electrolytes that are inside the battery which are flammable or combustible liquid.

Amber Whaley in a blog for Health & Safety News Research “E-Cigarette Explosions: An In-Depth Investigation” says, “Poor design, use of low-quality materials, manufacturing flaws and defects, and improper use and handling can all contribute to a condition known as ‘thermal runaway,’ whereby the internal battery temperature can increase to the point of causing a battery fire or explosion.

NBC reported that many e-cigarette batteries have USB ports for connecting to a power adapter. Consumers can mistakenly believe that the USB port of their e-cigarette battery can be used with power adapters for their other devices which can lead to overcharging the battery.

What is being done?

Although the FDA has written new rules to regulate the e-cigarette industry, there currently are no regulations in place, and there is no timetable for approval. What the FDA is doing is collecting consumer complaints. Complaints may be filed on line or by calling 1.800.FDA.1088.

NBC News has further reported that there is a new federal rule which forbids airline passengers from packing electronic cigarettes or other battery-operated electronic smoking devices in their checked bags.  This is to protect against in-flight fires.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) cited two incidents in the past fifteen months where e-cigarettes caused fires inside checked airplane luggage; one at Boston’s Logan Airport and the other at Los Angeles International Airport.

The National Park Service just announced that wherever smoking is banned, e-cigarettes will also be banned.

Experts say that e-cigarette smokers should take the following precautions:

• Ensure they are using the correct USB charger or adaptor for the battery.
• Check that there are specific instructions with the product to give guidance on recharging and how long to charge.
• Do not leave electronic cigarette battery cells unattended when they are charging.
• Remove batteries from the charger immediately when the light turns green.
• Turn off and unplug electronic cigarette battery cells that are charging before going to bed.
• Always charge the battery on a fire retardant surface
• Discontinue using if the battery or cables become damaged, or if the battery becomes hot, changes shape or begins to smell.

“E-cigarettes can be dangerous. If you or a loved one has been injured in an e-cigarette explosion, contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.,” said Fort Myers Injury Attorney, Randall Spivey.

Fort Myers Defective Products Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.