There are actually no substances in an electronic cigarette. This is just a card reader - a device into which a cartridge is inserted (plastic or in the form of a classic cigarette). Propylene glycol or glycerin is contained in e-cigarette fluid. Cigarette cartridges contain premium tobacco blends. Today we’ll talk in more detail about the features of liquid refills for e-cigarettes and find out whether such smoking is safe.
Electronic Cigarette: Pros and Cons
It is impossible to say with confidence that e-cigarettes are harmless, as well as to confirm their danger to the human body. The multicomponent liquid used to charge the device contains components that cause many fears: is glycerin harmful in electronic cigarettes, is propylene glycol safe and how can you smoke when everyone talks about the high toxicity of vaping?
Let's try to figure this out. The long-term effects of the ingredients in the equivalent and composition in which they are contained in the dressing, and the possible consequences of such smoking have not been studied to date. The solution to this problem will drag on for more than one decade and will require funding in the amount of tens of billions of dollars. Therefore, smoking an e-cigarette or preferring traditional tobacco products is up to you, because you yourself care about your health.
The composition and properties of the e-cigarette
Let's try to figure out the composition of the vape dressing and determine how harmful it can be for a smoker.
Glycerin in electronic cigarettes is able to act as one of the components for the preparation of refills. It acts as the basis of any “formulation”, which, in addition to propylene glycol, is supplemented by nicotine and a flavoring additive.
The peculiarity of the substance is a pronounced bactericidal property. Scientists confirm: being in a vaporous form, the substance contributes to the destruction of harmful bactericidal forms that are in the air.
Propylene glycol
It is a liquid, colorless substance widely used in industry. It has the following properties:
- viscosity;
- mild odor;
- cloying taste;
- hygroscopicity.
Around propylene glycol revolves a lot of myths related to its origin. It is said that glycerin and propylene glycol for electronic cigarettes are toxic. Many are mistaken in confirming this theory. The answer is the origin of the substance and its active use for industrial purposes. Technical is really toxic, but a food grade substance is used to make e-cigarette refills, which is safe when inhaled or taken orally.
Propylene Glycol Properties
The US Food and Drug Administration has officially confirmed that a daily intake of the equivalent of 23 mg per 1 kg of a person’s weight is a safe ratio for a population of 20–65 years of age, and getting toxic poisoning is unrealistic.
Each of us, without even thinking about it, uses propylene glycol daily. We encounter him, using shampoo, toothpaste or deodorant. The substance is also included in some foods. You can recognize it on the label by the code E1520. Some drugs - inhalers and intravenous drugs that are widely used in medicine, contain it in their composition.
Propylene glycol is even more actively used in the tobacco industry, namely in the production of cigarettes and cigars, to preserve tobacco moisture.
Vegetable glycerin
Glycerin of plant origin acts as a dietary supplement. You can recognize it on the product label by the E422 code. The food industry is not the only industry where glycerin is actively used. Medicine, perfumes, tobacco industry can not do without the use of this component. Over the years, humanity has consumed thousands of tons of glycerin inside without any established consequences.
It has long been added to tobacco products to soften the taste of tobacco and retain moisture. Therefore, the use of glycerin for electronic cigarettes began since the progressive development of a new era of tobacco production.
The properties of glycerin in an e-cigarette
It is used not only in electronic cigarettes, but also in ordinary ones. This is done in order to give the gas station a sufficient level of hygroscopicity. The use of glycerin in vape dressing mixtures is a constant factor. Food grade glycerin is also added to regular cigarettes, but in a much smaller proportion. Being so widespread, the substance attracts increased attention, which raises the question: is glycerin harmful in an electronic cigarette?
Effect on the body
It has been established that a substance can negatively affect the body. The consequences of consuming dietary glycerol in large quantities are fraught with:
- Violations of the excretory system.
- Allergic reactions.
- Irritation of the upper respiratory tract.
- Bacterial diseases.
- Violation of the vegetative system.
- The weakening of smell and loss of sensitivity of taste buds.
Based on the above possible consequences due to the systematic use of food glycerin, it is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to the question: is glycerin harmful in an electronic cigarette? Although manufacturers claim that the components of the mixture for refueling are completely safe and not toxic.
Having dealt with the subject of harmful propylene glycol, determining how dangerous glycerin is in electronic cigarettes, remember that vape filling is not a two-component composition. In addition to these substances, it contains nicotine, flavoring and other additives that, under the influence of glycerin, can harm your health.
What glycerin is used to make dressings?
Another name for the substance is 1-2-3-propanetriol. Today glycerin is freely available: it can be bought in the market, in a store, in a pharmacy. Pharmaceutical glycerin and an electronic cigarette - a combination is possible, but not safe.
When making a refueling for an e-cigarette yourself, remember: evaporating, anhydrous glycerin provokes the synthesis of a potentially dangerous and harmful substance for the human body called acrolein. This mixture has a tear effect and a pronounced smell. It settles in the structures of the lungs and can cause serious diseases of the respiratory system. Acrolein is a substance of the first degree of danger. Therefore, pharmacy glycerin for electronic cigarettes, the price of which does not exceed 30 rubles, is better not to use as a gas station for electronic cigarettes. If you still decide to do "self-mixing", add distilled water to the gas station. It will negate the effect of acrolein.
Reviews on glycerin as an ingredient for refueling e-cigarettes
Food glycerin for electronic cigarettes is actively used by tobacco companies as a component of vape refueling. The manufacturer vividly comments on the production of its products, demonstrating examples and helping the buyer determine whether a product is of good quality or not. On the part of users, one can notice a tendency towards aggressive perception of the presentation of such information. The buyer for the most part leaves negative reviews about e-cigarettes, but, despite this, the popularity of vape products does not fall.
A potential buyer trusts reviews of specialists more than a dubious contingent of reviewers. Their opinion about whether glycerin is safe in electronic cigarettes and whether it is worth choosing this method of smoking in general is sharply expressed by representatives of medicine.
Doctors advise against smoking at all, especially electronic cigarettes. The principle of smoking is different from the traditional one, but the harm from e-cigarettes is obvious. Although the components of the vape refueling alone are not so toxic as to cause serious poisoning, assembly of the electronic cigarette filling when used regularly can have a very negative effect on human systems and organs.
Everyone makes a choice consciously, sometimes this choice is not entirely successful and is harmful to health. Nevertheless, the electronic cigarette is causing more and more interest in smokers. Attractive picture, lack of addiction and the promise of lightness and richness of taste - this is an advertising tool that attracts buyers like a magnet who want to try a new product.