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Robert Strongin, professor of organic chemistry at Portland State University, will lead a large-scale study into the health effects of e-cigarettes funded by a $3.5 federal grant.
(Portland State University)
Portlant State University chemists have won a $3.5 million federal grant to study the potential hazards of e-cigarettes.
The five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health will fund a large-scale look at the health effects of e-cigarettes, PSU said in a statement.
"We will be employing more researchers and studying the vast array of e-cigarette devices and liquids available on today's unregulated market," said Robert Strongin, professor of organic chemistry at PSU.
PSU researchers have conducted a number of studies on e-cigarettes, with the latest showing that vaping devices can deliver formaldehyde. They've also found that flavored e-cigarettes can expose vapers to high concentrations of potentially toxic chemicals.
Other studies indicate that e-cigarettes open a gateway to tobacco use among young people.
The Food and Drug Administration, which regulates tobacco, is providing funding for the grant.
-- Lynne Terry
lterry@oregonian.com; 503-221-8503