The number of deaths from a vaping-related illness has risen to five.
The deaths were reported in Indiana, Minnesota, Los Angeles, Oregon, and Illinois, according to the New York Times.
Public health officials have warned about a lung illness that appears to be linked to vaping nicotine and marijuana after more than 200 people have become sick. Officials have cautioned about using e-cigarettes while the Centers for Disease Control investigates the illness.
At least 450 more cases in 33 states are under investigation for symptoms that include vomiting, fever, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
CDC officials questioned whether some “chemical” is related to the illness. One study found a chemical derived from vitamin E in samples that were tested. Vitamin E is generally harmless when consumed as a vitamin or used on the skin but could be harmful when inhaled.
“Identifying any compounds present in the samples will be one piece of the puzzle but won’t necessarily answer questions about causality, which makes our ongoing work critical,” Dr. Ned Sharpless, acting administrator for the Food and Drug Administration, said in a statement.
