Two flavouring chemicals prevalent in e-cigarettes might harm lung function

A picture showing an electronic cigarette being used

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Diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione suppress gene expression related to cilia production and function

Two common electronic cigarette flavouring chemicals impair human airway epithelial cells, causing lung damage, new analysis from Harvard University suggests. The team found that diacetyl and closely related 2,3-pentanedione suppress gene expression related to the production and function of cilia – cell structures responsible for clearing the lungs of mucus, dirt and bacteria.