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Write An Essay On Electronic Cigarettes

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A young girl has recently suffered burns as a result of an electronic cigarette or “e-cig” exploding while on a ride at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL. According to police, a man’s e-cig exploded during the ride and shot what was described as a “fireball” at the teenage girl behind him. She sustained burns to her face, arm, and leg and was taken to the hospital for immediate medical attention.

This is not the first instance of these cigarette substitutes harming individuals. This alternative to traditional cigarettes has caused multiple incidents similar to this most recent explosion. The explosions are said to be caused by an overheating of the battery, normally while the device is being charged. The U.S. Fire Administration, a division of FEMA, estimates that around 80% of the explosions occur during charging. With boil and auto-ignition points getting as high as 500 degrees Fahrenheit, it is easy to see how the traditional e-cig that most closely resembles a tobacco cigarette, with its weak ends, could have flames or objects propelled in the event of an explosion. …show more content…

Generally speaking, e-cigs consist of a cartridge that contains the liquid nicotine, an atomizer, and a battery. The majority of explosions are thought to be attributed to the battery and the use of aftermarket chargers. Using a different charger than what was supplied at the time of purchase is what researchers believe is causing many of the explosions; however, this does not explain the explosions that take place while the device is in the users pocket or during use. FEMA speculates that the lithium batteries may play a role in these types of malfunctions. Many other products such as phones use these same lithium batteries and have experienced similar malfunctions. When combined with a serious heating element, like an e-cig’s atomizer, fires involving lithium batteries become a much larger

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