Bacteria in filler material ?

[bbb]

I saw a discussion about this somewhere, I searched here, but didn't find anything, so here's my question.

I use a mega atomizer, with a whistle tip, flat on the end like a cigar tip, and the tip holds the filler material and liquid. The filler I use is what is called 'Traditional Craft Batting' bought in any craft store, it feels like a very soft, thin blanket, and very similar to the filler in a new e-cig. My whistle tip carries the fluid, I use about 40-50 drops to fill it properly.

the point of the mega is not to refill constantly, I top off but I never run it dry, the filler material never really dries out. Which means I have no need to replace it very often. So, any medics here that can address whether the combination of fluid, filler material and a plastic tip will grow bacteria, and if so, what kind, and do you forsee any harmful efffects from leaving this concoction fester for overnight/days/weeks at a time ?

 

[Sdh]

As a nurse I can tell you this. Yes! Bacteria thrives in our mouths and is passed on to the tip with the possibility of migrating inside the filler material. All I do is clean out my mega whistle tip every few days. However, it is ones own bacteria. I use to clean out every day. I decided every other day is fine. I soak my tips in alcohol for around 15 minutes. Then rinse well. You can also soak in a weak solution of antibacterial soap and rinse off the tip/batting. I use the blue foam for replacements and find I can reuse the foam. I have not been to successful with plain craft batting.

Everyone has different ways of cleaning. YMMV. Hope this helps.

 

[bbb]

Thanks for the reply Sdh. I was wondering if there was any harmful bacteria, that is known ? Hey, ppl kiss all kinds of animals, eat dirt and ingest all kinds of stuff I have not had any problems, like mouth or lip sores since I've been leaving the tip intact for days at a time. I do clean the tip with an anti-bacterial wet-one kind of wipe. So far, so good. But no, I haven't pulled the filler and cleaned it or the inside of the tip. I s'pose I could pull out the liquid with a syringe, I've done that before with a 510 cartridge. Do I even want to know what is growing in there ?

I think what I really wanted to know is if the liquid, plastic and filler would start growing something foreign to my very own personal bacteria ? Something I really don't want to ingest ?

 

[Sdh]

I wouldn't sweat it too much bbb. Like I said it our own bacteria. I would recomend cleaning or changing out the foam. I kind of just waste some of the juice to clean out my cartridge. Whenever a moist environment is created-yes bacteria has the potential to grow. (Don't know if bacteria likes nicotine?) LOL...'

An example of bacteria growth would be peridontal pockets in ones mouth. Bacteria can cause peridontal disease. That is why we brush our teeth. The most important time to brush teeth is a night...When bacteria has the whole night to feed in our mouths. This is why some folks have morning breath. (Bacteria growth). I know sounds gross but true.

Just trying to give you an example. Bacteria loves a nice warm place.

What I am getting at is this. It is alot easier to prevent something before it actually occurs. I would say create a clean day. Such as once weekly, every other day, every third day and so forth.

I will use the analogy of a drinking glass. We know we can get buy reusing it for a few days (maybe) before washing it. If we continue to use that glass especially if we have a cold one can keep reinfecting ourselves with the same bacteria. (Unless were healthy enough to fight it off)

 

[Eric.MD]

There are two additional things to consider here:

Nicotine is a mild antiseptic. Now that is not to say that it will kill all the bacteria, but it makes your cart or carto not particularly habitable to most bacteria.

Also, carts, carto, and even atomizers are fairly cheap. If you notice a foul odor or taste, you can attempt to clean them by boiling (for non-plastic parts) or other methods... but at the end of the day they are easily replaced.

 

[Zelphie]

I disinfect carts everyday and put new filling in OR if I dont have much filling left I disinfect that w/ ISO alcohol than rinse with lot and lots of water.

 

[Kelemvor]

the PG used in most liquids is known to work against the growth of mold and bacteria.
a user on my favorite german Vaping board did a test with a slice of bread:
he put a few drops of liquid on it and let it lay around a few days. there was a build up of mold on the bread but not where the PG liquid was. it was a very clear picture and convinced me that i don't have too much to worry about cleaning my cart filler.

 

[tababomb]

The frequent and rapid temperature changes that occur in the components aren't very conducive to a favorable home for microorganisms. With that being said, are there bacteria on & in your carts/atomizers? Absolutely. They are most likely normal bacteria you would find in your mouth or on your lips any given day.

 

[tababomb]

And since VG/PG is fairly anhydrous, bacteria that survive on the components have little in the way of gaining nutrients they need for survival.

 

[GiMante]

I've got a bit of OCD when it comes to stuff like this. I am constantly cleaning drip tips, condoms, plugs, cartos, carts, etc. I also do not store any cartos or carts for very long. I'll chuck 'em. I also carry alcohol wipes in my PV kits and am always wiping.