WIVB posts a misinformed news report

WIVB.com manages to post another mis-informed news report on e-cigs joining a long line of “lets post what will stir up the people the most” articles.  Amazingly enough, they can help people so much by digging for facts.  But, luckily there were several posters that helped “clear up” there miscellaneous mis-facts.

The one that really “screams” of how-did-you-get-that-wrong is:

One of the ingredients the FDA warns of is diethylene glycol. That’s something used inside antifreeze.

I like Anthony Ochoa‘s response the best (which was deleted):

Whomever wrote the article did an amazing job of avoiding the fact that
diethylene glycol (DEG) is NOT used in electronic cigarettes.  Nor did
they specifically state that the FDA suggests DEG is used in electronic
cigarettes.  To quote the article, “One of the ingredients the FDA warns
of is diethylene glycol. That’s something used inside antifreeze.”  Get
your facts straight, or cease and desist from misinforming your
readers.

Diethylene glycol is a derivative of ethylene glycol, which IS used in antifreeze, HOWEVER, it is NOT used in electronic cigarettes.  The correct chemical would be propylene glycol.

Propylene glycol, which is used in “e-cigarettes,” can also be found in everything from baby food to asthma inhalers to cosmetics to, you guessed it, antifreeze.  While still not used as frequently as ethylene glycol, the purpose of of propylene glycol in antifreeze is to offer a safer product to the ethylene glycol alternative.  “SIERRA Antifreeze is formulated
with propylene glycol (PG). As compared to ethylene glycol,
propylene glycol is less toxic and safer for children, pets, and
wildlife in the environment. Propylene glycol is used at
specified levels in the formulation of many consumer products
including cosmetics, pet food, and certain over-the-counter
medications.”(Source: http://www.sierraantifreeze.co… )

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry states “Propylene glycol, which is much less toxic than ethylene glycol, is
metabolized to compounds that are normal constituents of the citric acid
cycle.”(Source: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/… )

While the FDA considers Propylene Glycol as a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) substance.  “Propylene glycol is metabolized by animals and can be used as a
carbohydrate source. Propylene glycol can be ingested over long periods
of time and in substantial quantities (up to 5 percent of the total food
intake) without causing frank toxic effects.”  It goes on to say, “The Select Committee has weighed the available information and concludes
that: There is no evidence in the available information on propylene
glycol and propylene glycol monostearate that demonstrates, or suggests
reason to suspect, a hazard to the public” (Source: http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIn… )

Read the article here.