E-cigarette explosion burns Maricopa teen

For the past week a Maricopa teen has been recovering from injuries after an electronic cigarette exploded in her face on Mother’s Day.

A 17-year-old sustained burns to more than 30 percent of her body when a vaporizer pen, also known as a vape or an e-cigarette, exploded. She was transported to the hospital for treatment.

The incident is not unique. Just five days earlier a 17-year-old boy in New York had an e-cigarette explode in his face and blow a hole in the back of his throat. Another teen in Alabama suffered severe burns to his face when a classmate’s vape exploded next to him.

Last month, a man in California lost an eye from a similar explosion while “vaping” at home.

In all of these cases, faulty lithium-ion batteries or chargers are the prime suspect.

The U.S. Fire Administration issued a report in 2014 studying fires and “explosions” or flashes caused by e-cigarettes. It looked at 25 media reports between 2009-2014. Of those incidents, 80 percent occurred while the e-cigarette battery was being charged. Many caused serious burns and mouth damage, even loss of fingers. Eighty-four percent resulted in a fire.

Other electronic consumer devices use lithium-ion batteries, but the USFA pointed out those batteries “are contained in rigid plastic cases that are generally strong enough to prevent the failing battery from ‘rocketing” away.’ In contrast, e-cigarette batteries are in a cylindrical form. “When the battery seal (at the end of the battery) ruptures, the pressure within the e-cigarette cylinder builds quickly and instantly ruptures, usually at the end. As a result of the battery and container failure, one or the other, or both, can be propelled across the room like a bullet or small rocket.”

There are at least three ongoing lawsuits in California against manufacturers of e-cigs or their components.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration issued new rules banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.