E-cigarettes are used by people instead of the traditional cigars hoping it would less likely bring them harm, much safer to use. But according to Harborview's national fire experts, the substitute for tobacco cigarettes is now safer no more based on the recent exploding incidents caused by e-cigarettes.
The 24-year-old Daniel Pickett, one of the victims of e-cigarette explosions, shared his story to his lawyer. The incident happened while he was driving in Central Washington just this December.
"He noticed a static-y sound," said Robert Sealby, Pickett's lawyer. "Literally, half a second later, it vented, or exploded. It just really tore the heck out of his hand and arm," he added.
Because of the incident, Pickett has been rushed to the hospital, had five surgeries and skin grafts from his forearm and elbows. According to Oregon Live, it is still unsure if Pickett can still regain his right hand's strength or not.
"I realized that this was something that was happening more frequently than we had previously recognized," said Dr. Elisha Brownson. Dr. Brownson was the Harborview trauma and burn critical-care medical expert who has been in charged of the issue.
Between 2009 and 2014, the U.S. Fire Administration Reported 25 injuries in the country which was caused by e-cigarette explosions. Despite that, the U.S. e-cigarette industry is still rocketing with its present net worth of almost $2.2 billion, as reported by the Seattle Times
Gregory Conley of the American Vaping Association said that if only e-cigars were used and charged properly, the product could pose no danger to users. "However, when vapor products are subjected to extreme conditions or used with unwrapped or damaged batteries, shorts can occur."
Meanwhile, Pickett is already getting better and had moved back to his parents' home to rest. He is still hopeful of regaining the use of his hand very soon.
