“Cobalt Lung” linked to vaping cannabis

Researchers have identified yet another complication of vaping. In the European Respiratory Journal, they describe a woman who developed giant cell interstitial pneumonia (a.k.a., hard metal pneumoconiosis, or "cobalt lung") after six months of vaping cannabis. The condition is usually seen in workers exposed to hard metals.

The patient had reduced lung function at presentation. Lung biopsy showed fibrosis and several multinucleated giant cells within the alveolar spaces. She improved after three months of mycophenolate mofetil followed by prednisone, but 30 months after diagnosis, her lung function was still impaired.

Tests of her e-liquid revealed cobalt. The authors say the metal could have been released from the reservoir casing or the heating coil by the high temperatures necessary to aerosolise cannabis.

The authors conclude that "regulation of the material composition of the reservoir and heating coil in the vaporisation device should be sought" to avoid such toxic exposures.