This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-44149281
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Vape pen explosion pierces Florida man's cranium killing him | Vape pen explosion pierces Florida man's cranium killing him |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A US man died when a vape pen blew up and projected fragments into his skull, a post-mortem examination has found. | A US man died when a vape pen blew up and projected fragments into his skull, a post-mortem examination has found. |
Tallmadge D'Elia also suffered burns over 80% of his body in a fire on 5 May caused by the exploding e-cigarette, according to forensic officials. | Tallmadge D'Elia also suffered burns over 80% of his body in a fire on 5 May caused by the exploding e-cigarette, according to forensic officials. |
The 38-year-old's body was discovered by firefighters in the burning bedroom of his family home in the beach resort of St Petersburg, Florida. | The 38-year-old's body was discovered by firefighters in the burning bedroom of his family home in the beach resort of St Petersburg, Florida. |
It is believed to be the first US death from a vape pen explosion. | It is believed to be the first US death from a vape pen explosion. |
The television producer's death has been ruled an accident. | The television producer's death has been ruled an accident. |
The Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner said the official cause of death was "projectile wound of head", reports the Tampa Bay Times. | The Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner said the official cause of death was "projectile wound of head", reports the Tampa Bay Times. |
Two pieces of the vape pen were found in his cranium, according to the autopsy. | Two pieces of the vape pen were found in his cranium, according to the autopsy. |
The report said emergency crews encountered "extensive" fire damage to the bedroom where the body was found, but minimal smoke. | The report said emergency crews encountered "extensive" fire damage to the bedroom where the body was found, but minimal smoke. |
The electronic cigarette was manufactured by Smok-E Mountain, said the medical examiner. | The electronic cigarette was manufactured by Smok-E Mountain, said the medical examiner. |
Christopher D'Elia, the dead man's father, told ABC Action News it was a "terrible shock". | Christopher D'Elia, the dead man's father, told ABC Action News it was a "terrible shock". |
"Anybody who has lost a son doesn't want anybody else to lose a child to something like this," he said. | "Anybody who has lost a son doesn't want anybody else to lose a child to something like this," he said. |
How did the device explode? | How did the device explode? |
It's not entirely clear and is not written in the post-mortem examination report. | It's not entirely clear and is not written in the post-mortem examination report. |
The vape pen that Mr D'Elia was using was a so-called mechanical mod, meaning it drew power directly from the battery and did not regulate the voltage in the same way as other e-cigarettes. | |
The president of the American Vaping Association told the New York Times that most other e-cigarettes have more safety features than mechanical mods. Such safety features can include computer chips. | |
A representative of the manufacturer, Smok-E Mountain, blamed the device's battery for the explosion when speaking to ABC Action News. They also said it might have been down to the mouthpiece. | A representative of the manufacturer, Smok-E Mountain, blamed the device's battery for the explosion when speaking to ABC Action News. They also said it might have been down to the mouthpiece. |
Vape pens use lithium-ion batteries, favoured in smartphones and other portable electronic devices because they can provide high amounts of electricity using little space. | Vape pens use lithium-ion batteries, favoured in smartphones and other portable electronic devices because they can provide high amounts of electricity using little space. |
They are used throughout the world with few incidents, but in 2016 Samsung halted sales of the Galaxy Note 7 phone because some were catching fire when the batteries short-circuited. | They are used throughout the world with few incidents, but in 2016 Samsung halted sales of the Galaxy Note 7 phone because some were catching fire when the batteries short-circuited. |
Are vape pens safe? | Are vape pens safe? |
According to the US Fire Administration, between 2009-16 there were 195 separate incidents of explosions and fires involving an e-cigarette, resulting in 133 acute injuries, 38 of them severe. | According to the US Fire Administration, between 2009-16 there were 195 separate incidents of explosions and fires involving an e-cigarette, resulting in 133 acute injuries, 38 of them severe. |
In 2015, an e-cigarette exploded in the face of a 29-year-old Colorado man, breaking his neck and shattering his teeth. | In 2015, an e-cigarette exploded in the face of a 29-year-old Colorado man, breaking his neck and shattering his teeth. |
A fire in January this year at Denver International Airport was blamed on a vape pen's lithium-ion battery. | A fire in January this year at Denver International Airport was blamed on a vape pen's lithium-ion battery. |
For safety, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US recommends: | For safety, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US recommends: |