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DANGEROUS: Key Facts about Vitamin E Acetate


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Key Facts about Vitamin E Acetate

  • Vitamin E acetate is used as an additive, most notably as a thickening agent in THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products.
  • Vitamin E is a vitamin found in many foods, including vegetable oils, cereals, meat, fruits, and vegetables. It is also available as a dietary supplement and in many cosmetic products, like skin creams.
  • Vitamin E acetate usually does not cause harm when ingested as a vitamin supplement or applied to the skin. However, previous research suggests that when vitamin E acetate is inhaled, it may interfere with normal lung functioning.
Any of these products pictured here may contain dangerous substances that can kill you!!!

Latest Outbreak Information From The CDC:

  • This complex investigation spans all states, involves over 2,500 patients, and a wide variety of brands and substances and e-cigarette, or vaping, products.
  • As of December 3, 2019, CDC is only reporting hospitalized EVALI cases and EVALI deaths regardless of hospitalization status. CDC has removed non-hospitalized cases from previously reported case counts. See Public Health Reporting for more information.
  • As of December 17, 2019, a total of 2,506 cases of hospitalized e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported to CDC from 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands).
  • Fifty-four deaths have been confirmed in 27 states and the District of Columbia (as of December 17, 2019): Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia
  • The median age of deceased patients was 52 years and ranged from 17 through 75 years (as of December 17, 2019).
  • More deaths are currently under investigation.
  • Data suggest the outbreak peaked in September 2019. However, states continue to report new cases, including deaths, to CDC on a weekly basis.
  • Among cases of hospitalized EVALI patients reported to CDC with available data (as of December 3, 2019): 67% were male (among 2,155 patients with data on sex)
  • 78% were under 35 years old, with a median age of 24 years and age range from 13 to 77 years (among 2,159 patients with data on age)
  • By age group category: 16% of patients were under 18 years old;
  • 38% of patients were 18 to 24 years old;
  • 24% of patients were 25 to 34 years old; and
  • 23% of patients were 35 years or older.
  • 1,782 hospitalized patients had complete information* on substances used in e-cigarette, or vaping, products in the 3 months prior to symptom onset, of whom (as of December 3, 2019): 80% reported using THC-containing products; 35% reported exclusive use of THC-containing products.
  • 54% reported using nicotine-containing products; 13% reported exclusive use of nicotine-containing products.
  • 12% reported using cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products; 1% reported exclusive use of cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products.
  • 40% reported both THC- and nicotine-containing product use.
  • 5% reported no THC-, nicotine-, or CBD-containing product use.
  • Among hospitalized EVALI patients who reported using THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping product brands: The most commonly reported product brand included Dank vapes (56%), followed by TKO (15%), Smart Cart (13%), and Rove (12%). However, regional differences in THC-containing product use were noted.