There has been an unreasonable level of hysteria concerning brass in atomizers. Brass isn't really the issue, as many high end atomizers and mods make use of "naval" brass, or brass that contains no lead. The issue is in clones manufactured in china, that make use of normal (leaded) brass.
The problem is that Chinese brass may or may not contain up to 2% lead. When brass is machined, it heats up, and as it heats up, the lead escapes to the surface of the brass, where it gets smeared around on the surface of the brass. It is doubtful that this lead poses a serious risk to vapers, as the temperatures required to melt lead are higher than those used in vaping. Still, there is a method to make even regular brass safe for use in vaping.
Cleaning Brass
Some brewers use brass fittings in conjunction with their wort chillers or other brewing equipment and are concerned about the lead that is present in brass alloys. A solution of two parts white vinegar to one part hydrogen peroxide (common 3% solution) will remove tarnish and surface lead from brass parts when they are soaked for 5 minutes or less at room temperature. The brass will turn a buttery yellow color as it is cleaned. If the solution starts to turn green and the brass darkens, then the parts have been soaking too long and the copper in the brass is beginning to dissolve, exposing more lead. The solution has become contaminated and the part should be re-cleaned in a fresh solution.
Ideally, this process should be used on brass drip tips from China, and brass in atomizers should be avoided in general for the simple reason that contact with brass darkens e-liquid in a very unsightly way as the metal responds to the acid in the e-liquid (all e-liquids are slightly acidic). This causes no harm to the e-liquid, it merely oxidizes it, a process that occurs anyway as vaporized e-juice leaves the coil and wick. This was proved by vaporizing clear (fresh) liquid nicotine and recovering it. The recovered nicotine had turned golden yellow, the same as aged, oxidized nicotine.
The jury is still out on chrome plated brass, as we honestly don't know what the effects of vaping trace amounts of chromium are.
In another 10 or 15 years we might, as almost all Chinese low cost attys are made of chrome plated brass, Evods, ProTanks, etc.
Here is a link with more information: http://brewingrabble.com/resources/surface-lead.htm
The problem is that Chinese brass may or may not contain up to 2% lead. When brass is machined, it heats up, and as it heats up, the lead escapes to the surface of the brass, where it gets smeared around on the surface of the brass. It is doubtful that this lead poses a serious risk to vapers, as the temperatures required to melt lead are higher than those used in vaping. Still, there is a method to make even regular brass safe for use in vaping.
Cleaning Brass
Some brewers use brass fittings in conjunction with their wort chillers or other brewing equipment and are concerned about the lead that is present in brass alloys. A solution of two parts white vinegar to one part hydrogen peroxide (common 3% solution) will remove tarnish and surface lead from brass parts when they are soaked for 5 minutes or less at room temperature. The brass will turn a buttery yellow color as it is cleaned. If the solution starts to turn green and the brass darkens, then the parts have been soaking too long and the copper in the brass is beginning to dissolve, exposing more lead. The solution has become contaminated and the part should be re-cleaned in a fresh solution.
Ideally, this process should be used on brass drip tips from China, and brass in atomizers should be avoided in general for the simple reason that contact with brass darkens e-liquid in a very unsightly way as the metal responds to the acid in the e-liquid (all e-liquids are slightly acidic). This causes no harm to the e-liquid, it merely oxidizes it, a process that occurs anyway as vaporized e-juice leaves the coil and wick. This was proved by vaporizing clear (fresh) liquid nicotine and recovering it. The recovered nicotine had turned golden yellow, the same as aged, oxidized nicotine.
The jury is still out on chrome plated brass, as we honestly don't know what the effects of vaping trace amounts of chromium are.
In another 10 or 15 years we might, as almost all Chinese low cost attys are made of chrome plated brass, Evods, ProTanks, etc.Here is a link with more information: http://brewingrabble.com/resources/surface-lead.htm
