PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department has confirmed the first case of vaping-related illness in the county. And the case sounds very similar to a man who filed the state’s first known vaping lawsuit.
Health Director Dr. Anthony Chen said the patient is a man in his 40s who reported he got sick after using an electronic vaping device.
“I believe it was lipoid pneumonia, and my understanding was he was vaping marijuana and THC,” said Chen.
On Monday, KIRO 7 reported on what is believed to be the state's first lawsuit filed because of a vaping-related illness. Charles Wilcoxen, who is 44, is suing six distributors of vaping products. Wilcoxen began experiencing severe breathing problems earlier this month after he had been using THC vape cartridges for about eleven months.
“They determined I had lipoid pneumonia,” said Wilcoxen.
Wilcoxen said his doctors told him tests showed the symptoms matched vaping-related illnesses.
“The results came back on the smear test with the oil, and the stain residue and stuff that was in my lungs came back as a positive result which gave me the lipoid pneumonia,” Wilcoxen said.
The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department won't say if the case they've identified is Wilcoxen, but his attorney said the department has been in touch with him regarding his diagnosis.
Chen says anyone who uses vaping cartridges for marijuana or tobacco should stop immediately.
“The safest thing for them to do is, of course, don’t smoke, and don’t use electronic cigarettes or vaping devices,” said Chen.
Below is KIRO7's previous coverage on vaping related illnesses:
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