Scientific American:

For weeks, officials have searched for what could be causing a string of vaping-related respiratory illnesses across the country. Now, they may have found a clue: Many of the products used by the patients contained a common contaminant—an oil derived from vitamin E, according to news reports.

The news of the contaminant comes from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which shared the information with state officials in a telephone briefing this week, The Washington Post reported. But it’s not clear if this contaminant is indeed causing the illnesses, and the investigation is far from over, officials said.

The FDA analyzed 12 nicotine samples and 18 THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) samples taken from patients across the country. The vitamin E-derived oil, known as “vitamin E acetate,” was found in 10 out of the 18 cannabis products.

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