With all the buzz in the news about CBD/THC cartridges being contaminated with Vitamin E Oil, I wanted to take a moment to shed some light on what this substance is, what it’s used for and what it shouldn’t be used for.
First off, despite the name, Vitamin E Oil is not a single vitamin; it’s a group of fat-soluble vitamins that have been derived from Vitamin E. There are many cosmetic uses for the substance that include hydrating skin that can be found in lotions/creams/gels; essentially it is applied directly on the skin. Although there are several claims about Vitamin E Oil being good for other health potential products, research is still somewhat inconclusive. Furthermore, it is estimated that upwards of one third of the population could have allergic reactions to Vitamin E Oil.
One thing is for certain about Vitamin E Oil – it should never be inhaled. If that is the case, why is it being found in black-market products intended to be inhaled? One theory is that it is being used to thicken CBD/THC to make it appear to be of higher quality than it truly is. Another is simply to use a more cost-effective substance as an additive to cut costs on the product being sold outside of proper channels.
With the outbreak of illnesses and deaths caused recently from illicit substances being added to these products, the public has been fed strands of half truths and misinformation that has formed a web of fear for both vapers and non-vapers alike. People who don’t vape any of these products are urging their friends/families to stop vaping for concern of them being the next victim.
There are a few simple facts that will hopefully alleviate these concerns for those who are vaping e-liquid:
- E-cigarettes have been prevalent here in Canada for nearly a decade with no incidents such as these until very recent. If this isn’t indicative that something else is the culprit, I don’t know what is.
- Harmful compounds such as Vitamin E Acetate, MCT Coconut Oil, Fatty Acids and Food Colouring have been illegal to add to e-liquids for use in personal vaporizers for years.
- Manufacturing Facilities in Canada such as DVine Labs (Who produces nearly all our e-liquid products) operates a facility free of any ingredients listed in the TVPA banned items.
- Vape Shops have no long-term gain to provide their customers with a product that would cause them harm.
I’d like to reiterate from a previous post and urge consumers who are using any type of device that they inhale vapors from to never add anything, no matter how safe they believe it is, to their e-liquids, CBD or THC oils. Always purchase from a reputable source.
Stay Informed, Stay Vigilant, Stay Safe
Tim Howey
General Manager
True North Vapor