Simple, easy DIY test for mg/mL nicotine. A Follow Up on DVAP's Method

[Þornbjörg]

Credit mostly goes to DVap. I modified his 'simplified' method, to use readily available supplies, and avoid having to dilute very strong HCl. See end of post for links.

This is the test I use, and you can assemble your own kit for about $20.

The Reason:
Since there are no true production standards, and people like to mix their own liquids, this will allow you to test liquid for nicotine levels easily.

The Kit:
.12N Sulfuric Acid
Bromothymol Blue
Distilled Water
10mL Graduated Cylinder, .1mL markings is optimum
A paper towel

The Test:

1. Pour some distilled water in the cylinder, swirl it, dump it out.
2. Repeat step 1.
3. Repeat step 1.
4. Dry cylinder with a sliver of paper towel.
5. Put 1mL of eLiquid in the cylinder
6. Add 2 drops blue
7. Fill cylinder to the 3mL mark with distilled water
8. Swirl to mix
9. Add a drop of acid
10. Swirl to mix
11. If the color of the solution didn't turn pale yellow, repeat 8-9
12. Measure the final volume
13. Subtract 3 from the number you read in step 11
14. Multiply the result of step 12 by 19.4712
15. The resulting number is the mg/mL

Notes on measuring: Always measure from the center of the liquid, where its at its lowest point. Never measure from the high point on the sides.

Notes on adding to the cylinder: Avoid dribbling liquids down the sides, as it will skew results, since some will add to the amount when you swirl to mix. For an accurate end result, exactly 1mL eliquid must be used.

Note on step 10: Over several drops, the color will go from blue to bluish-green to green, and when you've reached the 'magic drop', it will suddenly all turn yellow.

Note on final result: If the manufacturer added acids for preservatives, it should not skew the results enough to matter, as they use very minute amounts. Also, as most DIY'ers can't read volumes to several decimals, bear in mind there is a small margin of error. I tested 12 different bottles, 10 of the results were within 1mg of their rated, all just slightly low, probably due to flavoring being added.

Car, Caution, Cleanup:
The .12N sulfuric acid and blue are designed for use by average home owners. They are quite safe to use. The acid is very diluted, so it won't eat holes in things. If spilled, the blue will stain.

The distilled water has several safety concerns, if you're unaware, please see the many dangers it poses at the Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division. Since this may catch someone who truly doesn't get it, think H2O.

The real danger of testing is posed by the e-liquid. If you're testing high nicotine content liquid, a mL would be enough to kill childrens, pets, animals, even you. If you're working with very high strength, I'd caution you to use latex, rubber, or vinyl gloves.

Disposal of solution after test should be as you would dispose of e-liquid. The most toxic part is the nicotine content. Unless you just poured out bleach or drain-o, you should be fine pouring it in the drain, so long as you flush the drain after with some water.

After liquid disposal, rinse your testing equipment clean with plain old tap water, shake off excess water, and let air dry. The liquid does get sticky, and gets hard to clean if left to dry on.

Example:
Cylinder is rinsed well.
1mL of liquid labeled 24mg is added to the empty cylinder.
2 drops of blue are added
Distilled water is added until its at 3mL
The solution is swirled
A drop of acid is added, then its swirled, and this is repeated ...
The solution turns yellow after several 'drop and swirl's
The final volume is measured at just over 4.2mL
Subtract 3 to get 1.2
Multiply this by 19.4712 to get ~23.3, which is the actual mg/mL

Where to get supplies:
The acid and blue you can find in a local pool chemical supply store, in the test kit refill section. Both will be labeled with their actual chemical names. The magic number '19.4712' requires that the acid be .12N acid. Also, do not buy 'total alkalinity indicator' as its not the right chemical (the acid is usually right next to it).

Distilled water must be distilled water, not mineral, not filtered, not tap, not carbonated. You can find it at the grocery store.

Cylinders you can buy in hobby shops, for chemistry set piece replacements.

If you want a handy little bottle for putting the water in, you can buy clean, sterile 60mL dropper bottles from tattoo supply shops for about $1 each. Just make sure you give it at least 3 rinses with distilled water before filling it.

For those that don't have the options available to them that those in big cities have, and rely on internet ordering, here's a few links for you...

Inexpensive lab equipment for DIY chemistry...
10mL Glass .1mL-Graduated Cylinder

Taylor pool testing chemical supplies...
.12N Sulfuric Acid
Bromothymol Blue

Reference
The original 'simplified' method by DVap can be found here.
The original 'expanded' method, also by DVap, can be found here.

[NightShadow]

Very handy, and the links etc make it easy for any to get the right stuff.

Thanks to all who contributed!


A few questions, may seem silly but I am sure others will ask that are not chemistry oriented:

Is the tested liquid then safe to pour down your sink? (ie how to dispose of safely)

Should people wear gloves or eye protection using this stuff?
(what would happen if someone dripped the blue or acid on thier skin...accidentally)

Do I need a rubber suit/apron? (people tend to think acid makes thinks like people melt like the evil witch)

Must a glass container be used for this? (ie if I put the chemicals in plastic as thats all I had, will it either skew the results and or melt through and make a rather huge mess)

While I did attempt to ask the questions in a humorous manner, I am not trying to make fun of anything, and seriously think at least a few will ask those types of questions after reading this.

Thanks again!

[amione]

Brilliant ! What many people have been looking for since quite some time.
Thanks.

[Þornbjörg]

Is the tested liquid then safe to pour down your sink? (ie how to dispose of safely)

The most dangerous part of the whole process is the eliquid. Treat as such. Unless you just poured bleach or drain-o (lye) in the drain, you should be fine as long as you run some water afterwards.

Should people wear gloves or eye protection using this stuff? (what would happen if someone dripped the blue or acid on their skin...accidentally)

If you're a true-blue klutz, all of the above, and a helmet, and elbow pads.

Seriously though, since the very-diluted-acid and blue come in dropper bottles, you'd be hard pressed to have spills. If you did spill, the acid would itch a bit until you rinsed it off, and the blue WILL stain.

Remember, the dangerous part is the eliquid. If you spill, splash, fling, drop, toss, chuck, ram, or do anything else to it, treat as you would an eliquid spill.

Do I need a rubber suit/apron? (people tend to think acid makes thinks like people melt like the evil witch)

This isn't Oz, and the acid is over 99% water. No special apparel needed, unless you're trying to impress your friends, then just get a lab coat with pocket protector, and thick rimmed coke-bottle glasses.

Again though, treat as you would eliquid.

Must a glass container be used for this? (ie if I put the chemicals in plastic as thats all I had, will it either skew the results and or melt through and make a rather huge mess)

Not required, but recommended. Plastic likes to collect dust and chemicals in it, will discolor over time, and will warp when its around heat. Glass is less prone to the many things that plague plastic in testing equipment. Honestly, spend the extra $2 for glass. If the only thing you have is plastic laying around, it'd work in a pinch, but you need to increase the margin of error.


---

Seriously though, the most dangerous part of the whole test is the eliquid. If you're testing some 80mg/mL stuff out, wear gloves. A single mL, if left to soak in, would be enough to kill most people. If you're handling low mg stuff and aren't worried about getting 'sticky fingers' from it, then you'll be fine. Treat and dispose of everything with the caution you give eliquid, since that's what's going to kill your children, pets, spouse, neighbor, or you.

When I flushed my attys with the acid, I wasn't wearing gloves, and was holding the atty with my fingers. It itches just a little when it gets into the tender area between your fingers, but that's about it. I just washed my hands after and was fine. At .12N the acid really is over 99% water, so even lemon juice is more dangerous to the skin, but I still wouldn't drink it.

The blue will stain, oh, will it stain. As per toxicity, its used as a consumable in medical testing procedures. I'm not going to say what, or how much, as drinking it will make you very ill. Those who have 'been there and done that' probably know what I'm talking about (they likely received it as a big blue pill), even if they didn't know what was involved. Just know it'll make you sick if you drink it, and if you drink it you'll likely be heading to the hospital in short order thinking you're going to die. I only ONCE used it in a prank, and the mark didn't talk to me for a few months after.. since they ignored me and went straight to the hospital. I went with, and got a stern talking-to from the doctor. Perfectly safe to handle though.

If you're worried about the safety of distilled water, feel free to look up the many dangers of Dihydrogen Monoxide. One city even tried banning products that contain it, lol.

[Scottes]

the many dangers of Dihydrogen Monoxide.

That stuff will kill you!!

[raven9mm]

awesome, thanks for the added info on supplies!

[jerrydon10]

Thanks for posting this. I ordered this morning!

[NightShadow]

The most dangerous part of the whole process is the eliquid. Treat as such. Unless you just poured bleach or drain-o (lye) in the drain, you should be fine as long as you run some water afterwards.

....

If you're worried about the safety of distilled water, feel free to look up the many dangers of Dihydrogen Monoxide. One city even tried banning products that contain it, lol.

Thank you,

I was not worried myself about doing this, simply playing devils advocate with the questions I felt people would be asking about it

I fully support the banning of the Evil Dihydrogen Monoxide in its pure form however, as I am addicted to Mountain Dew and seem to use it instead.

[Þornbjörg]

I figured as much, hence, why I took a light hearted approach to my reply.

I still can't stress this enough though, very high strength eliquids are very toxic, and will kill pets, children, or even healthy adults if you spill a mL.

Especially the 54mg and higher that some people are starting to sell.

The kit itself is quite safe, if you keep it away from children and pets. The solution you end up with after testing is very toxic, due to nicotine.

Dispose of it carefully.

[Doctor Vapor]

The Reason:
Since there are no true production standards, and people like to mix their own liquids, this will allow you to test liquid for nicotine levels easily.

Nice test !! Being a chemistry geek, I actually enjoy doing stuff like this, and that it can be done with readily available materials is fantastic. Thanks for posting.