Worried there could be dangerous vitamin E acetate in your vape? Learn how to identify signs of vitamin E cutting agents so you can make sure your cartridges are safe and avoid lung injuries.
Vitamin E acetate has been linked to the vaping illness outbreak in 2019 that caused 68 deaths and nearly 3,000 hospitalizations. But what is vitamin E acetate, why was it being added to vape cartridges, and how can you identify products that contain it? This guide covers everything you need to know.
Contents
What is Vitamin E Acetate?
Vitamin E refers to a group of eight related nutrients that are essential for human health. Vitamin E acetate is a form of vitamin E used topically and as a food preservative.
While vitamin E is an important antioxidant, vaping oils containing high levels of vitamin E acetate has been shown to cause severe lung damage.
Why Was Vitamin E Acetate Added to Vape Oils?
Vitamin E acetate was commonly added to vape cartridges for two reasons:
- As an antioxidant to prevent cannabis and nicotine oils from oxidizing and changing color
- As a thickening agent to cut THC oil while maintaining a natural viscosity
By preventing oxidation and extending the shelf life of oils, producers could increase profits. But this came at the expense of consumer safety.
How to Identify Vitamin E Acetate in Vape Products
Since vitamin E acetate is odorless and blends with cannabis oil seamlessly, detecting it isn’t straightforward. Here are a few signs that may indicate the presence of vitamin E acetate:
- Ultra-thick oil – Properly formulated cannabis oil should flow easily. If your oil looks abnormally viscous, it could be cut with vitamin E acetate.
- Generic packaging – Illicit producers are less likely to invest in custom packaging and branding. Copycat labeling could signify untrustworthy ingredients.
- Non-dispensary source – Legal dispensaries adhere to strict safety standards. Products from unlicensed sellers carry more risks.
The only surefire way to avoid vitamin E acetate exposure is to purchase from licensed cannabis retailers that provide detailed lab testing for every product. Reputable companies clearly list all ingredients and provide copies of third-party test results confirming the purity of their oils.
Healthier Alternatives to Vitamin E Acetate
Instead of using vitamin E acetate to extend shelf life, many brands now rely on natural antioxidants like vitamin E tocopherols and food-grade terpenes. Vegetable glycerin and coconut oil also preserve freshness safely.
The CDC recommends avoiding THC vapes from informal sources. Stick to regulated dispensaries and manufacturers that openly share test results for each product. This is the best way to enjoy vaping while mitigating health risks.
The Bottom Line
While vitamin E acetate was once a common additive due to its ability to extend product shelf life, its use has declined drastically since being linked to vaping-related lung disease. Carefully vet any vape products you purchase and avoid informal suppliers that lack transparency around ingredients and testing. Your lungs will thank you.
FAQs
How do you test for vitamin E in a vape?
There is no easy at-home test to detect vitamin E acetate in vape products. The only reliable way to determine if a vape cartridge contains vitamin E acetate is to have it tested by an independent, third-party lab using advanced analytical chemistry techniques like gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Reputable cannabis brands should provide up-to-date certificates of analysis showing test results for all ingredients.
How do you know if you have vitamin E in your cart?
It’s difficult to visually identify vitamin E acetate since it mixes seamlessly with cannabis oils. Signs that may indicate the presence of vitamin E acetate include unusually thick oil consistency, generic copycat packaging from an unlicensed source, and lack of ingredients/testing documentation from the manufacturer. The only way to confirm is through third-party lab testing.
Is there vitamin E in vape?
Early in the vaping related lung illness outbreaks in 2019, vitamin E acetate was identified as a potential culprit causing injuries. It was commonly used as a thickening agent and preservative in illicit market THC vape cartridges. Reputable nicotine vape juice and legal cannabis vape brands have stopped using vitamin E acetate entirely due to lung health concerns.
What does vitamin E acetate smell like?
Vitamin E acetate is odorless and does not have a distinct smell that would indicate its presence. If an unusual smell is coming from a vape cartridge, it may suggest low quality, contamination with other additives, or degradation from poor storage conditions rather than vitamin E specifically.
