Quincy Installing Vape Detectors At The High Schools

QUINCY, MA — School officials announced plans to install vape detection devices in all bathrooms and locker rooms at the district's two high schools, the Patriot Ledger reported. The school district received a grant from the Norfolk District Attorney's office for vape use prevention and will use the money to purchase the Fly Sense vape detection systems developed by Soter Technologies.

According to the company's website, the detectors have the ability to detect vaping, smoke and noise disturbances common with violence and bullying. Soter said the detectors send email alerts to teachers and faculty when they are set off.

"We’ve been talking about this for a while, so when DA Morrissey launched this grant we decided that we really should be doing it," Superintendent Richard DeCristofaro told the Patriot Ledger. "It’s (vaping) become a national concern for our kids."

Vaping has become a public health crisis for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after hundreds of cases of respiratory illness were suspected to be linked to vaping. As of early September, at least 450 cases of lung illnesses were reported to the CDC in 33 states and one U.S. territory. There have been six reported deaths in Illinois, California, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota and Oregon.

There have been no confirmed cases of respiratory illness in Massachusetts, but state health officials said they have been instructed by the CDC and have warned 25,000 healthcare providers to watch for cases of respiratory illness linked to vaping.

"A new recommendation from the CDC encourages physicians to report cases of significant, unexplained respiratory illness and a history of vaping to the state health department," the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's email to healthcare providers read. "As a result, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is requesting that clinicians flag any cases of respiratory illness possibly linked to vaping."