The Harpeth Hall School • 3801 Hobbs Road • Nashville, Tennessee
LOGOS October 16, 2019 • Volume 42 • Number 2
New evidence demonstrates dangers of vaping Number of Americans with vaping-related illness has reached almost 1300
BY SELA ANDREWS News Editor
In August, vaping-related illnesses became public knowledge as doctors and health officials disclosed the relationship between vaping and lung problems. Medical professionals then realized that these illnesses could account for the pneumonia-like symptoms they were seeing in otherwise healthy people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have since named the illnesses Evali, or “e-cigarette or vaping productuse associated lung injury.” Self-branded as a “smoking alternative,” and one that is “unlike any e-cigarette or vape,” Juuls have exploded in popularity among young people, largely due to their sleek module and fruity pod flavors. Medical professionals are particularly worried about Juuls, as they deliver a higher concentration of nicotine than other e-cigarettes. Nicotine is very addictive and is known to impair brain and lung development if used during adolescence. In addition to the high nicotine content, Juul pods contain a greater amount of benzoic acid, 44.8 mg/mL, than other e-cigarette brands, which are in the range of 0.2 to 2 mg/mL. The CDC has stated that constant exposure to benzoic acid can cause coughs, sore throat, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Both the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission are investigating Juul Labs, which owns 68 percent of the e-cigarette market, for unfounded claims that their
PICK YOUR POISON: A wide variety of e-cigarettes exist as an alternative to the infamous Juul (fifth from left), which controls 68 percent of the e-cigarette market. Photo courtesy of Sarah Johnson.
e-cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes, as well as inappropriate marketing practices to attract adolescents to their product. “I think that kids at Harpeth Hall have been misled, teenagers have been misled. It’s also becoming the opinion of the government that teenagers have been targeted,” Upper School chemistry teacher Legare Vest said. According to the CDC, the number of people with lung illnesses linked to vaping has risen to 1299 and 29 people have died. The illnesses are widespread, with cases reported in 49 states and the US Virgin Islands.
According to reports available to the CDC, about 70 percent of the patients were male, and 80 percent were under 35 years old. 16 percent of those male patients were younger than 18 years old. A study of 86 patients in Wisconsin and Illinois found that 87 percent of people reported using THC-containing products, the psychoactive component of marijuana. Anne Schuchat, the CDC’s deputy director, said that that is the “most prominent link across all patients.” Using samples of lung tissue from 17 patients, doctors from the Mayo Clinic reported that their lung damage resembled chemical burns.
Symptoms of Evali include weakness and shortness of breath, and many patients need supplemental oxygen and treatment in intensive care units. In some cases, the lung damage is so severe that affected patients must be placed on ventilators to keep them alive while their lungs recover. In even fewer cases, patients have to be connected to machines that directly pump oxygen into the bloodstream, as their lung function is so poor that ventilators are insufficient. Though many patients recover within days or weeks of hospitalization, doctors have noted that it is too soon to understand the long-term effects of this illness. In 2015, the U.S. surgeon general reported that e-cigarette-use among high school students had increased by 900 percent, but 40 percent of young e-cigarette users had never smoked regular tobacco. It is critical to note that vaping is not a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, as it is equally addictive and many toxins within the product remain unknown. E-cigarettes are not an effective smoking cessation tool. No specific devices or ingredients have been connected to the illnesses, but health experts expect several devices to be identified. Because of the mystery surrounding this illness, health officials advise refraining from using e-cigarettes. Those who vape frequently should neither purchase vaping liquids off the street or black market nor add ingredients to any commercial products they might already own.
Ms. Stockdale next faculty member to go on maternity leave BY MADDIE HOGAN Staff Writer
It’s a girl! As many Harpeth Hall students and faculty are aware, Upper School Dean of Students Liz Stockdale is expecting a baby girl in mid-November. Although the precise date of arrival is uncertain, the current plan is for Ms. Stockdale to attend school the Friday before her due date, Nov. 15. She will then be on maternity leave until after spring break. “I am so sad to miss Winterim, I’m sad to miss everything, and Winter Formal, and all of those exciting things,” Ms. Stockdale said. In Ms. Stockdale’s absence, retired Middle School English teacher, Pamela Carver, is returning to Harpeth Hall to assume position as Dean of Students temporarily. Ms. Stockdale and Mrs.
Annabelle Nolan: MasterChef Page 6
MOMMY DEAN: Ms. Stockdale enjoying her last few days serving as the Upper School Dean of Students before she begins her maternity leave in early November. Photo courtesy of Stefanie Chiguluri, Lead Photography Editor.
Is Grab & Go broken? Page 10
Rifle team expands Page 14
Carver will work together to make a solid timeline of events. Their goal is for both students and Mrs. Carver to feel excited and secure in the coming months. “She is so kind and loves Harpeth Hall so much, and I can’t think of a better person to be here,” Ms. Stockdale said about Mrs. Carver. “She’s just going to be great.” Popular events such as Winterim and Winter Formal will continue as usual. “The mark of a really good leader is that you have established systems and understandings in place, so that, if you were to be removed, things still flow really comfortably, and so that’s my goal,” Ms. Stockdale said. “I want to make sure Mrs. Carver feels really positive and set up for success to do everything.” Ms. Stockdale plans to return to campus for the second semester.
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