Vaping FAQs

is vaping propylene glycol cause popcorn lung

by Giuseppe Volkman Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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When propylene glycol

Propylene glycol

Propylene glycol is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH₃CH(OH)CH₂OH. It is a viscous, colorless liquid which is nearly odorless but possesses a faintly sweet taste. Containing two alcohol groups, it is classed as a diol. It is miscible with a broad range of solvents, includin…

(PG) cools down in the lungs, it can polymerize, or combine to form larger molecules, essentially forming plastic in our lungs. This process contributes to the development of popcorn lung, even though diacetyl exposure gets most of the blame in the media. Does Vaporizing Increase Your Risk of Developing Cancer?

New research shows that propylene glycol can also generate methylglyoxal, an alpha di-carbonyl compound recently shown to cause epithelial necrosis at even lower concentrations than diacetyl, the flavoring chemical associated with bronchiolitis obliterans ("Popcorn Lung").Jan 6, 2021

Full Answer

Can vaping cause popcorn lung disease?

“It has been postulated that lung changes associated with vaping can be caused by vape flavorings, and the effect is not different from patients with the traditional popcorn lung disease,” says governor at the College of American Pathologists, Timothy C. Allen, M.D.

How does propylene glycol cause popcorn lung?

When propylene glycol (PG) cools down in the lungs, it can polymerize, or combine to form larger molecules, essentially forming plastic in our lungs. This process contributes to the development of popcorn lung, even though diacetyl exposure gets most of the blame in the media.

Does e-juice cause popcorn lung?

Although e-juice does contain diacetyl, the chemical responsible for popcorn lung, the concentration levels are too low to cause the disease. There’s a higher chance of getting popcorn lung through smoking compared to vaping.

What is popcorn lung and how can you prevent it?

The lung condition now known as popcorn lung was first discovered when workers in a popcorn factory developed breathing problems after inhaling diacetyl, a chemical that’s used to give foods a buttery flavor. Diacetyl is also found in some liquids that are inhaled through an e-cigarette.

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Does propylene glycol damage lungs?

In vitro studies suggest vapours of propylene glycol and glycerol could have cytotoxic effects on lung epithelial cells and other cell types; however, animal and clinical studies do not report signs of extensive lung damage or lung function alteration.

What happens if you vape propylene glycol?

Vaping propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine may lead to lung inflammation. Researchers have found that using e-cigarettes with the e-liquid refills containing propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG) may lead to inflammation of the lungs over a period of time.

Is it OK to inhale propylene glycol?

No health authority has labelled propylene glycol safe for inhalation. Manufacturers and chemical safety agencies recommend that inhalation be avoided, as shown in the Table 1. Reports of acute illnesses and deaths have increased interest in the health risks of inhaling propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin.

What additive causes popcorn lung?

Even though we know that diacetyl causes popcorn lung, this chemical is found in many e-cigarette flavors. It is added to "e-juice" liquid by some e-cigarette companies to complement flavorings such as vanilla, maple, coconut and more.

What is the healthiest vape?

The PAX 3 is consistently ranked one of the healthiest vapes, and it's an incredibly customizable conduction vaporizer suitable for dry herb and wax. Heated through thermal conduction, the PAX 3 doesn't sear your material.

What is the safest vape to use?

If you are looking for the safest vape kit then you might want to consider disposables or pod kits. These are often low powered and have safety cuts offs as well as other features to prevent them from overheating. Not only as disposables one of the safest vape kits, but they are also super easy to use.

What are the health risks of propylene glycol?

► Propylene Glycol can cause nausea and vomiting. ► Exposure can cause headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, and passing out.

Why is propylene glycol used in e cigs?

In e-cigarette devices, e-cigarette liquids (e-liquids) are mainly composed of propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (Gly), which add flavours and nicotine, and are heated in the device to generate aerosols without combustion [1].

How long does it take for propylene glycol to leave the body?

about 48 hoursIf you eat products that contain propylene glycol, it may enter your bloodstream. Exposure of the general population to propylene glycol is likely since many foods, drugs, and cosmetics contain it. Propylene glycol breaks down in the body in about 48 hours.

How do lungs heal from vaping?

However, there are certain lifestyle behaviors you can practice to try and accelerate the rate at which your lungs heal.Drink Lots Of Water. ... Eat Healthy Foods. ... Exercise Regularly. ... Cough. ... Clean Your Living Space. ... Practice Deep Breathing. ... Try Steam Therapy.

What vape does not have diacetyl?

VaporFi. VaporFi is on a mission to change smoker's lives. All of their e-juice is made in the USA using kosher grade diacetyl-free ingredients.

Is vaping worse than smoking?

1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.

Can you get high off of propylene glycol?

Propylene glycol is a dihydric alcohol but do not worry, it will not make you drunk. Although in the category of alcohol, it does not have the effects of ethanol, which can be very intoxicating in cocktails! It can not be detected by an alcohol test or EtG test that are only designed for ethanol.

Why is propylene glycol used in e cigs?

In e-cigarette devices, e-cigarette liquids (e-liquids) are mainly composed of propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (Gly), which add flavours and nicotine, and are heated in the device to generate aerosols without combustion [1].

What are the harmful chemicals in Vapes?

Besides nicotine, e-cigarettes can contain harmful and potentially harmful ingredients, including:ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs.flavorants such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease.volatile organic compounds.heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead.

Do disposable Vapes have propylene glycol?

E-cigarettes, aka JUULs and vape pens, use a battery to heat up a special liquid into an aerosol that users inhale. It's not just harmless water vapor. The "e-juice" that fills the cartridges usually contains nicotine (which is extracted from tobacco), propylene glycol, flavorings and other chemicals.

What are the symptoms of popcorn lung?

It is hard to detect if you have popcorn lung. The symptoms are easy to overlook. It is also easy to mistake it for other lung diseases. Let’s say you have asthma. You’re used to having difficulty breathing. So, if you develop popcorn lung, you might not notice the symptoms because asthma and popcorn lung make you feel the same.

Can I get popcorn lung from vaping?

No, you cannot get popcorn lung from vaping. The myth that you can get popcorn lung from vaping came from the fact that diacetyl, the chemical which is the primary cause of the said condition, was found in e-juice flavorings in the past.

How do you treat popcorn lung?

As of the moment, there is no cure for popcorn lung. There are, however, treatments that can help deal with the symptoms of popcorn lung. These treatments can also help slow down the progress of the said disease.

How can I avoid getting popcorn lung?

The easiest way to avoid popcorn lung is to avoid exposure to the chemicals that cause the disease. If they cannot be avoided, you must limit your exposure as much as you can.

What other popular vaping myths should I be aware of?

Most of us think that nicotine causes cancer. I confess that this is something that I used to believe. And who can blame you if you do? Nicotine is a word associated with smoking. However, nicotine actually carries minimal risk of harm to your health.

What is the best treatment for popcorn lung?

One option is to use corticosteroids. These cortisone-like medicines provide relief for inflamed parts of the body. When you take corticosteroids, they lessen swelling, itching, redness, and allergic reactions. Since popcorn lung results in the inflammation of air passages, relieving the inflammation can help you get more oxygen into your blood. It can also help you breathe easier.

Why do they call it popcorn lung?

The result is a hacking cough and shortness of breath. They call it popcorn lung because it can be caused by breathing in the chemical diacetyl.

How long did the bronchoscopy study last?

The study duration was for one month. For all the participants, a bronchoscopy was performed at the start of the study and again five weeks after. The lung tissues, bronchi and the lung health were recorded at these sessions.

What did Shields say about inflammation?

He said, “Given that these people were no different than the control group, what it says is that we measured an increase but they were still within the normal range.”

Can propylene glycol be measured?

The levels of propylene glycol could be measured from the urine samples of the participants. This helped the team analyze the extent of use of this chemical. Shields explained, “So people with higher changes in levels actually inhaled more, and when you look at that, you see an increase in inflammation.”.

Does vaping cause lung inflammation?

Vaping propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine may lead to lung inflammation. Researchers have found that using e-cigarettes with the e-liquid refills containing propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG) may lead to inflammation of the lungs over a period of time. The results of the study titled, “Effects of Electronic Cigarette ...

Can you use THC and nicotine containing products?

The CDC adds, “Exclusive use of nicotine containing products has been reported by some patients with lung injury cases, and many patients with lung injury report combined use of THC- and nicotine-containing products.”. This was the first “experimental design” study that showed the damage caused by e-cigarettes say the researchers.

Does e-cigarette affect inflammatory cells?

Results revealed that there was no significant difference in levels of inflammatory cells among the e-cigarette users and the control group. The levels of inflammatory cells and proteins in the adult lungs were slightly raised however among those who used higher amounts of propylene glycol. The levels of propylene glycol could be measured from ...

Does smoking e-cigarettes cause lungs to swell?

The team of researchers, in the pilot clinical trial have found that those who smoked e-cigarettes twice a day for just a month had higher levels of chemicals such as propylene glycol in their blood. This was associated with inflammatory changes in their lungs.

What is Popcorn Lung?

So-called Popcorn Lung is the condition scientifically known as bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare degenerative lung disease that has symptoms similar to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) . Essentially, Popcorn Lung causes damages to the smallest airways in the lungs called bronchioles. The condition leads to inflammation which results in scarring of the lungs and, ultimately, irreversible damage.

Is vaping better than smoking cigarettes?

Vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking cigarettes and, as such, is an ideal way for many people to ween themselves off cigarettes.

Is vaping and popcorn lung dangerous?

Creating a false link between vaping and Popcorn Lung is at best unhelpful and at worst, simply dangerous. By drawing this equivalence, we steer ourselves away from finding real answers to a very real public health matter. Rather than opting for hysteria, we should choose evidence-based practice.

Is Vaping Addictive?

It is easy to become addicted to vaping because it contains nicotine. As already shown in this article, vape juices may contain higher levels of nicotine than is advertised on the label.

What is the effect of vaping on the lung?

However, doctors found that breathing in vapors containing diacetyl caused serious lung disorders.

What is the condition that e-cigarettes cause?

E-cigarette vapor can also cause a lung condition called “popcorn lung.”. Popcorn lung is a chronic lung disease also known as bronchiolitis obliterans (BO). This causes scarring of tiny air sacs in your lungs. Popcorn lung causes your airways to thicken and narrow.

What is vaping in a cigarette?

Vaping describes inhaling and exhaling vapor ( aerosol) that is produced by an electronic cigarette or vaporizer. To create the vapor, vape liquid containing many chemicals with or without nicotine is heated and vaporized.

What is the chemical in a vape?

A 2017 study into the health risks associated with puffing on e-cigarette found that some vape flavor packs contain a chemical called diacetyl. The American Lung Association says that when inhaled, diacetyl causes bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lung). ( 2 , 3)

Why are vapes bad for you?

One of the reasons why vapes are bad for your health is that they can damage your DNA.

Does vaping cause inflammation?

E-juice, contains irritants that affect the lung such as formaldehyde, solvents, and other potentially harmful chemicals. Vaping allows these chemicals into the lungs and can cause inflammation . Most scientists agree that it is still too early to know all the long-term health risks of vape liquid mist.

What is popcorn lung?

The term Popcorn lung is used to describe a respiratory condition called bronchiolitis obliterans. Bron chiolitis Obliterans is a very serious and irreversible condition in which air sacs in the lungs become scarred. This disease often results in a cough and shortness of breath. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported several cases of bronchiolitis obliterans in workers in a microwave popcorn plant in Missouri in 2000. An Investigation by the NIOSH (National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health), discovered that a flavoring agent called diacetyl that was used to give the popcorn a buttery taste, and that inhaling the flavor likely contributed to the development in the workers illness.

What is the solution to the problem of vaping?

A solution to this problem would be to pass legislation to ban Diacetyl and other harmful chemicals from vape juices. Another solution would be for more government testing on E-cigarettes.

How much diacetyl is in a vape?

Vapors on average are exposed to nine micro-grams of diacetyl daily, while smokers are exposed to a daily dose of 6,718 micro-grams of diacetyl. Also Siegal wrote that the e-cigarette liquid with the highest level of diacetyl in the Harvard study exposed vapors to 239 micro-grams against 20,340 micro-grams of diacetyl for heavy smokers.

Can vaping cause popcorn lung?

This shows that people who vape should not worry about contracting the diseases popcorn lung. Not only is the risk of diacetyl exposure far lower for vapers than for smokers but according to Critical reviews in Toxicology, “Smoking has not been shown to be a risk factor in bronchiolitis (Popcorn Lung).

Is diacetyl in vape juice?

There are over 7,000 varieties of flavored e-cigarette and e-juice (nicotine-containing liquid that is used in refillable devices) on the market. Many vaping liquid manufactures still include the chemical Diacetyl in their products even though there are proven health risks. Some companies claim that there products are diacetyl free to appeal to vapors but they still contain the chemical.

Is diacetyl a flavoring?

This chemical diacetyl was proven to be harmful over a decade ago, however the chemical is still used as a flavoring today. This probably led to the FDA’s New vaping Regulations.

Can e-cigarettes cause popcorn lung?

However this 75% statistic is not up to date because many E-juice companies are now removing Diacetyl from their recipes. So Yes, chemicals found in some E-juice flavors have been shown to cause popcorn lung when inhaled. Their however has never been a case of someone contracting Popcorn Lung from vaping. To understand why scroll down to the bold print for the conclusion.

Is Vaping Without Nicotine Bad for You?

As far as we know, high-quality vape juice, used with a well-designed, high-end vape pen or mod, is safe. If the user is vaping nicotine, they’re better off than if they were smoking. Is vaping without nicotine bad for you? Not at all – without any drug in the vape juice, you’re just inhaling vaporized glycerin and flavorings.

Is Vaping a Drug?

One of the main questions vape-curious folks want to know is “Is vaping a drug?” Of course, on its own, vaping is not a drug – it’s a method of drug delivery, just like smoking, drinking, or injecting. In and of itself, vaping is neutral; a vape pen or mod can vape any substance that can be suspended in vape liquid. Most commonly, that is nicotine, but it can just as easily be THC, opioids, or synthetic “designer” drugs like DMT or MDMA – even meth.

What is Popcorn Lung (and is it Really Dangerous)?

Because “popcorn lung” sounds at once completely absurd and unsettlingly creepy, it’s caught public attention more than any other possible side effect of vaping.

What is popcorn lung?

So what is popcorn lung? The medical name is “bronchiolitis obliterans,” unfortunately abbreviated to BO – if it’s embarrassing to ask a doctor if you might have “popcorn lung,” just try asking a doctor if you have BO. Bronchiolitis obliterans can results from exposure to many different chemicals that cause inflammation and obstruction of the bronchioles, the smallest passages in the lungs.

Why did people start using vapes?

After all, that was their original intention – the first modern vape was developed by a Chinese pharmacist and inventor, Hon Lik, who was tired of the continual failure of nicotine patches to help him stop smoking. Hon realized that emulating the act (or habit) of smoking, without the harmful carcinogens of burning cigarettes, would make it easier to stop smoking actual cigarettes.

How does vaping work?

Everybody knows how smoking works: dried and shredded tobacco is wrapped in a paper tube, which is then set on fire at one end, while the smoker inhales the smoke through the other end. As it turns out, vaping is only slightly more complicated, though it requires a lot more electronics.

Why do people vape?

Give it a little thought, and it’s not surprising; most smokers who also vape are only vaping because they can’t smoke in most public places. In other words, they’re not actually trying to stop smoking, just settling for vaping because they’re not allowed to smoke.

Can Vaping Cause Popcorn Lung?

Bronchiolitis obliterans isn’t a new disease. In fact, records of the condition date at least as far back as the early 1980s. However, so-called “popcorn lung” has gained a renewed burst of attention in recent years, as public health concerns have grown from the current popularity of “vaping.”

Does Vaporizing Increase Your Risk of Developing Cancer?

In addition to diacetyl and PG, vape pens can also contain an ingredient known as polyethylene glycol (PEG), which is used in antifreeze. While PG is, according to the CDC, “generally considered to be a safe chemical” (at least at room temperature), the same cannot be said of PEG, which “can cause serious illness or death” when ingested in large amounts. But how does this occur?

Does the FDA Regulate Marijuana Vape Pens?

Consumers don’t know precisely how hot marijuana vape pens burn, nor what array of chemicals they may be inhaling with every breath. So when, and to what extent, will the FDA step in? Will Cannabis vape pens ever be regulated the way e-cigs now are?

What is vaping pens?

In case you’re out of the loop, vaping is slang for the practice of using portable e-cigarettes (called “vapes” or “vape pens”), which heat small cartridges of liquid until an inhalable vapor is produced, hence the term “vaping.” This liquid (called “e-juice”) may contain a number of chemicals that are potentially harmful when inhaled. There are three primary culprits: 1 Diacetyl 2 Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3 Propylene Glycol (PG)

What does "obliterans" mean?

The term “obliterans” indicates a blockage. For example, thromboangiitis obliterans is a condition where blood vessels in the feet and hands become obstructed. When a patient is diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans, it means their bronchioles are obstructed due to inflammation.

What temperature does a peg turn to?

When PEG is heated to a temperature of 480 degrees Fahrenheit, or about 249 degrees Celsius, it converts into a different chemical called acrolein. Acrolein – which, like diacetyl, is also present in traditional tobacco cigarettes – is a highly potent carcinogen, which means it can cause cancer.

Is it safe to use THC in vape pens?

THC is generally safe for adults to use. However, when you purchase loosely regulated, premade products like Cannabis oil for vape pens, it’s hard to know what else you’re getting along with the THC.

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