Vaping FAQs

can you get sick from secondhand aerosol steam from vaping

by Brayan Graham MD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Along with nicotine, nonvapers are also exposed to ultrafine particles from secondhand vape aerosol, which may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Secondhand vape aerosol also contains several known carcinogens that may increase the risk of certain cancers.

Yes, second and third-hand smoke and vaping aerosols contain harmful, toxic and cancer-causing chemicals that can be breathed in. They can go into the body through the skin. These chemicals can be swallowed, as many children put their hands or other objects into their mouths.

Full Answer

Is secondhand vape smoke bad for You?

Taylor Hays says that there isn't any data on secondhand vape smoke, which is actually an aerosol. "These little particles that are inhaled by the vaper are also released into the atmosphere, and if they are an irritant to the lungs — which we know they are in people who vape — then in secondhand vaping, there probably also are irritants."

What is secondhand vapor and how does it affect me?

Secondhand vapor (which is technically an aerosol) is the vapor exhaled into the atmosphere by an e-cig user. Like secondhand smoke, it lingers in the air long enough that anyone in the same room (assuming the room is small enough) is likely to inhale some of the exhaled aerosol.

Does secondhand vape aerosol increase cancer risk?

Secondhand vape aerosol also contains several known carcinogens that may increase the risk of certain cancers. Who’s most at risk? Secondhand vape aerosol affects everyone, but certain groups may have a higher risk for negative health effects.

What are the harmful effects of secondhand aerosols?

Electronic Smoking Devices and Secondhand Aerosol. Exposure to fine and ultrafine particles may exacerbate respiratory ailments like asthma, and constrict arteries which could trigger a heart attack. 2 ESD aerosol particles are smaller than 1000 nanometers, which is a similar size to tobacco smoke and diesel engine smoke,...

What is the chemical in second hand vape aerosol?

Why are vapes dangerous for children?

What is third hand smoke?

What percentage of people with asthma report vaping?

How to quit smoking cigarettes?

Is vape aerosol harmful?

Does vaping smell like candy?

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About this website

Is breathing second hand vape harmful?

Secondhand vape exposure was associated with increased risk of bronchitic symptoms and shortness of breath in young adults, even after accounting for active smoking and vaping.

Can you get sick from being around someone who Vapes?

The researchers reported that those exposed to secondhand vaping had an increased risk of bronchitis and shortness of breath, even after they took into account other possible lung health factors like active vaping or exposure to smoke from tobacco or weed.

Can you be allergic to secondhand vape smoke?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, potential symptoms of exposure to secondhand vaping aerosol may be similar to symptoms of exposure to any airborne pollutants and can include: Coughing or wheezing. Respiratory infections. Inflammation in the throat.

What happens if you breathe in someone's vape?

Irritation of the lining of the airways which can lead to chronic cough. Difficulty breathing. Cancer. Lung diseases such as COPD, emphysema and asthma.

Can my baby get second hand smoke from vaping?

Studies have found that second-hand exposure to vaping can raise nicotine levels in the bloodstream to rates similar to the levels found with second-hand smoke. Many of the e-cigarette chemicals that end up in the air your babies breathe are known to be toxic.

Is it OK to vape in the house?

In contrast to the known harm from secondhand smoke, there's no evidence so far of harm to bystanders from exposure to e-cigarette vapour. The many harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke are either not contained in e-cigarette vapour at all, or are usually found at much lower levels.

How long does vape smoke stay in the air?

Even in a poorly ventilated area with windows shut, any smells from vaping should be gone in only ten minutes or so, instead of lasting around for hours like smoking.

What are the symptoms of being allergic to vape?

Symptoms of a nicotine allergyheadache.wheezing.stuffy nose.watery eyes.sneezing.coughing.rash.

What does an allergic reaction to vape feel like?

In mild cases, they range from a sore throat to sinus problems, headaches, and even feelings of nausea, while in extreme cases PG can cause numbness of the face and tongue and itchy hives on the upper body.

Can people be allergic to vaping?

If you're new to vaping and having problems, you may be wondering if you have an allergy or sensitivity to one of the ingredients in your eliquid. While possible, allergies to vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol are actually quite uncommon, and there could be another potential cause for your discomfort.

Doctor's warning about dangers of vaping - Mayo Clinic Health System

For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

Why You Can Fail a Drug Test From Second-Hand Marijuana Smoke

Yes, you can fail a drug test from second-hand marijuana smoke. Several scientific studies confirm that. But this is true if you spend your time near weed smokers in a non-ventilated room.

The Health Risks of Second Hand Cannabis Smoke - WayofLeaf

At present, marijuana is legal for adult use in 11 states plus Washington, D.C. There are also MMJ programs in 22 other states. One of the benefits of the growing popularity of cannabis is the increase in product choice.

How does second hand smoking affect the world?

Secondhand smoking kills tens of thousands of people every year in the United States alone. It can cause sudden infant death syndrome and lung issues in children. In adults, it can lead to serious health conditions later in life, such as stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer—even in people who never smoked themselves. 1

How does an e-cigarette work?

E-cigarette devices use metal coils to heat the vaping fluid, and over time, small amounts of metals can sometimes get into the aerosol after repeated use at high temperatures. 6 . While the person vaping will breathe in the full brunt of these toxins, some will be exhaled into the air.

What is acrolein in e-cigarettes?

Acrolein: This is a compound made when glycerin is heated by the coils in an e-cigarette. It can irritate the respiratory tract, including the delicate tissue of the lungs. 4

Is second hand vaping bad for you?

Secondhand Vaping as a Gateway. In addition to the still uncertain health risks associated with breathing in e-cigarette aerosol, being around people who vape could have other consequences—particularly for adolescents who are more likely to be influenced by social norms and visual cues.

Does vaping hurt your lungs?

Short-term studies didn’t find evidence that secondhand vaping hurts lung function , with one notable exception. Researchers found that people who were around vaping aerosol showed increases in the serum cotinine, which is a marker that someone was exposed to nicotine (an ingredient often found in e-cigarettes). 7  Given the long list of health risks posed by nicotine, more research needs to be done on how this exposure could affect someone’s lungs long-term like it can with secondhand smoke.

Can vaping affect non-vapers?

It’s still not clear how the toxins found in secondhand vaping can affect the health of non-vapers, especially long-term. The limited research available so far has largely focused on immediate health effects. That said, there are some concerns about how repeatedly inhaling e-cigarette aerosol over an extended period of time could affect bystanders’ long-term lung function and risk of allergic reactions.

Can vaping cause lung injury?

UPDATE: Recent illnesses have been associated with use of e-cigarettes (vaping). Since the specific causes of these lung injury cases are not yet known, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends refraining from all vaping products.

What is secondhand vaping?

Secondhand vaping is exactly what it sounds like: if you're near a person breathing out vapor from an e-cigarette, you generally breathe in the same air that they're exhaling and can inhale the same vapor.

What to do if someone uses e-cigarettes?

If someone close to you, like a parent, caretaker or coworker, uses e-cigarettes, you can kindly ask them to stop while you're around. Frame it as a way to protect both your health and theirs, and hopefully they'll respect your wishes.

Is vaping a health risk?

E-cigarettes can emit a huge cloud of vapor that can affect an entire crowd of people. Getty Images. When vaping first gained popularity, it was marketed as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes. However, a recent surge in illnesses, hospitalizations -- and even deaths -- has shown that there may be much scarier health risks associated ...

Does vaping harm the lungs?

The vapor can also harm bystanders ' lungs and contribute to lasting damage ...

Does vapor contain nicotine?

Another study from 2018 found that the vapor not only contains nicotine, but also heavy metals, aldehyde and glycerin, even though vaporizer companies try to paint these products as healthier in every way. These chemicals contribute to the health risk posed by secondhand vaping.

Is vaping a teenager phenomenon?

E-cigarettes are becoming more and more of a teenage phenomenon. With more teens than ever now vaping, it seems like the younger folks who are more at risk. A third of high-schoolers and middle-schoolers reported that they were exposed to vaping aerosol in 2018.

Can you vape with your friends?

If you really want to avoid the negative health effects of secondhand vaping, you may just want to not hang out with your friends while they're using e-cigarettes. Or, if you're reading this and you are an e-cigarette user who's not ready to give it up yet, at least don't vape around other people (especially kids).

Who studied the dangers of second hand vaping?

Igor Burstyn’s study of the possible dangers of secondhand vaping attempted to “estimate potential exposures from aerosols produced by electronic cigarettes and compare those potential exposures to occupational exposure standards.” His conclusion: “Exposures of bystanders are likely to be orders of magnitude less, and thus pose no apparent concern.”

What is secondhand vapor?

Secondhand vapor (which is technically an aerosol) is the vapor exhaled into the atmosphere by an e-cig user. Like secondhand smoke, it lingers in the air long enough that anyone in the same room (assuming the room is small enough) is likely to inhale some of the exhaled aerosol. As the name indicates, the bystanders are not inhaling secondhand (or passive) smoke—because secondhand e-cigarette vapor simply isn’t smoke.

What is the difference between e-cigarettes and vapor?

E-cigs heat e-liquid with a small metal coil housed in an atomizer , and the heat turns the e-juice into the vapor you see. E-cigarette vapor doesn’t have any carbon monoxide or tar, and the particles in the aerosol are liquid rather than solid. Dangerous chemicals and metals are found in vapor, but only in tiny quantities.

Is third hand nicotine inhaled or exhaled?

What isn’t inhaled falls to the ground quite rapidly. Those concerned with “thirdhand nicotine”—the unabsorbed nicotine that lands on floors and furniture—might make a case for not vaping around kids or pets who might lick the surfaces. But there’s not much nicotine left in the settled residue. According to a 2016 University of California-San Francisco study, 93.8 percent of the inhaled nicotine is retained by the user, and is not part of the exhaled vapor.

Does vaping contain VG?

Aside from propylene glycol and glycerin (PG and VG) —the two glycols that make up the base of virtually all e-liquids—what vapers exhale into the air doesn’t contain high levels of anything. According to Drexel University toxicologist Igor Burstyn, while the contents of e-cig vapor inhaled by users “justifies surveillance,” there is so little contamination in exhaled vapor that there is unlikely to be any risk for bystanders.

Can you vape inside a house?

If you encounter people vaping inside a house, all of the secondhand vapor you see comes out of the mouths of the vapers in the room. There is no side stream “vape smoke” like there is side stream tobacco smoke from cigarettes—no constant emission of vapor pouring from the device when it’s not being used.

Is nicotine in vapor residue?

But there’s not much nicotine left in the settled residue. According to a 2016 University of California-San Francisco study, 93.8 percent of the inhaled nicotine is retained by the user, and is not part of the exhaled vapor.

How long does it take to respond to a secondhand aerosol?

Response options were 0 days, 1 or 2 days , 3 to 5 days, 6 to 9 days, 10 to 19 days, 20 to 29 days and all 30 days. Respondents who recorded a response other than 0 days were considered exposed to SHS. Secondhand aerosol exposure.

How many people were exposed to secondhand smoke in 2017?

In 2017, over 14.3 million youth were exposed to secondhand emissions from tobacco products in public places.

What are the other tobacco products?

g Other tobacco products were cigarettes; cigars, cigarillos, or little cigars; chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip; pipe filled with tobacco; bidis; snus; dissolvable tobacco; or hookah or waterpipe. Current users reported use of ≥1 of these products on ≥1 days of the past 30-days. Noncurrent users reported using all tobacco products on 0 days.

How many students in the US are exposed to secondhand tobacco?

In 2017, more than half (55.1%, 14.3 million) of US middle and high school students reported exposure to secondhand tobacco product emissions in indoor or outdoor public places. E-cigarette use may complicate the enforcement of existing smoke-free policies and contribute to the renormalization of tobacco use behaviors. Continued efforts are warranted to reduce the social acceptability of tobacco product use and protect bystanders from all tobacco product emissions.

Why are e-cigarettes important?

Strongly enforced and comprehensive smoke-free policies that include e-cigarettes have several important benefits such as the potential to reduce the social acceptability of tobacco product use (6), promote smoking cessation (2), and support efforts to decrease smoking initiation among youth (17).

Is secondhand smoke a risk?

There is no risk-free level of SHS exposure (2). Despite progress in reducing SHS exposure in the United States, an estimated 58 million Americans remain exposed, nearly half of whom (25 million) are aged 3 to 19 (3).

Is smoking in indoor spaces a SHS?

Eliminating smoking in indoor spaces fully protects nonsmokers from SHS exposure in these environments. As of August 2018, 27 states and more than 900 municipalities had implemented comprehensive smoke-free laws that prohibit smoking in indoor public places, including workplaces, restaurants, and bars (4,5).

How does ESD affect the airways?

ESD use alters the physical appearance of airways and may impact the development of chronic lung disease. The airways of people who use ESDs appear redder than the airways of both people who smoke and nonsmokers. 27

What is ESD aerosol?

ESD aerosol is made up of a high concentration of ultrafine particles, and the particle concentration is higher than in conventional tobacco cigarette smoke. 1. Exposure to fine and ultrafine particles may exacerbate respiratory ailments like asthma, and constrict arteries which could trigger a heart attack. 2.

What is the chemical in ESD?

ESDs contain and emit propylene glycol, a chemical that is used as a base in ESD solution and is one of the primary components in the aerosol emitted by ESDs. Short term exposure causes eye, throat, and airway irritation. 6. Long term inhalation exposure can result in children developing asthma. 7.

What are the effects of ESD?

ESDs contain and emit propylene glycol, a chemical that is used as a base in ESD solution and is one of the primary components in the aerosol emitted by ESDs.#N#Short term exposure causes eye, throat, and airway irritation. 6#N#Long term inhalation exposure can result in children developing asthma. 7 1 Short term exposure causes eye, throat, and airway irritation. 6 2 Long term inhalation exposure can result in children developing asthma. 7

What are the elements in an aerosol?

The aerosol contained particles >1 µm comprised of tin, silver, iron, nickel, aluminum, and silicate and nanoparticles (<100 nm) of tin, chromium and nickel. The concentrations of nine of eleven elements in ESD aerosol were higher than or equal to the corresponding concentrations in conventional cigarette smoke. 14.

What is an electronic smoking device?

Electronic smoking devices (or ESDs), which are often called e-cigarettes, heat and vaporize a solution that typically contains nicotine. The devices are metal or plastic tubes that contain a cartridge filled with a liquid that is vaporized by a battery-powered heating element. The aerosol is inhaled by the user when they draw on the device, ...

Does ESD absorb nicotine?

People exposed to ESD aerosol absorb nicotine (measured as cotinine), with one study showing levels comparable to passive smokers. 11

What is the chemical in second hand vape aerosol?

Secondhand vape aerosol contains flavorings, such as diacetyl, a chemical that may impair the function of cilia in the airway.

Why are vapes dangerous for children?

Infants and children. Vape aerosols pose an especially high risk for infants and children because of their lower body weight and developing respiratory systems. , being exposed to even low concentrations of the components of vape aerosol can affect brain and lung development.

What is third hand smoke?

Thirdhand exposure is a thing, too. When someone who’s vaping exhales, the components of the aerosol doesn’t just go into the air — they also settle on surfaces. Trusted Source. . This is what’s referred to as thirdhand smoke (or aerosol). You can be exposed to these components when you touch a contaminated surface.

What percentage of people with asthma report vaping?

Based on the results of the 2018 Annual Asthma Survey by the Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership, 14 percent of people with asthma reported that vaping or exposure to secondhand vape triggered their asthma symptoms.

How to quit smoking cigarettes?

Try to taper your nicotine dose gradually if you’re using vaping to help you quit traditional cigarettes. Cutting out nicotine altogether will minimize the risk of nicotine-related side effects for you and others.

Is vape aerosol harmful?

Its long-term effects are still being investigated. What we do know so far is that vape aerosol contains a number of harmful substances, including: There’s evidence that nonsmokers exposed to secondhand vape aerosol absorb similar levels of nicotine as people exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke.

Does vaping smell like candy?

This brief exposure probably isn’t a huge deal, but secondhand vape aerosol (the “smoke” from vaping) is definitely a thing, even if it smells like candy.

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