Exhaling 99% Water Vapor?

[Willriker]

I keep seeing this floating around the forums and i wanted to know if i was missing something here. From what i have found, this fluid is mostly PG/VG/Nicotine/Flavoring. So, how can people say that you are exhaling water vapor?

Am i missing something or are people spreading missinformation?

P.S.
They definately say water vapor instead of simply saying vapor. I have been correcting some people at work that have been saying that you exhale mostly water vapor, after reading this site. So, i wanted to see if i am missing something, or if they are just gleaming incorrect information from here.

P.S.S.
I checked where they said they got the info from, and not to name names, but the people i work with did not missinterperate what they read.

 

[Ken Brosch]

Can you post link to info?

 

[Valsacar]

PG is hygroscopic, it attracts water/moisture. That is how the vapor is produced, by attracting moisture from the air, which in turn means the exhaled vapor is in fact mostly water. I can't tell you what percentage it is, 99% sounds high to me, but it is mostly water.

Since PG attracts moisture, you can see a difference in how fast the vapor dissipates depending on the humidity level. In dry areas it will dissipate fairly quickly, but in high humidity it will stay for longer.

Propylene Glycol : Propylene glycol properties

 

[DocWyatt]

PG is hygroscopic, it attracts water/moisture. That is how the vapor is produced, by attracting moisture from the air, which in turn means the exhaled vapor is in fact mostly water. I can't tell you what percentage it is, 99% sounds high to me, but it is mostly water.

Since PG attracts moisture, you can see a difference in how fast the vapor dissipates depending on the humidity level. In dry areas it will dissipate fairly quickly, but in high humidity it will stay for longer.

Propylene Glycol : Propylene glycol properties

Hmm, interesting. I assumed as much. I guess the basic concept is that whether PG or VG base the base is actually mostly water? I would assume that is correct.

For instance, if you buy milk, it is mostly water. Blood is mostly water. Etc, etc. Most any common liquid = mostly water mixed with something. If i vaped Kool-Aid, I would be vaping mostly water - mixed with flavor and coloring - but still water. Hence virtually all of the vapor would be pure water vapor.

Unless i am missing something here...even if vaping milk or blood, lol, I don't think you are having milk or blood vaped into the air, lol, - it would be water. Perhaps my logic is too simplistic, not sure...

 

[PoliticallyIncorrect]

I've Googled this until my hands bled. The short answer, it appears, is that nobody knows (another one of those e-cigarette hot-buttons for which there's no--or inadequate--science).

No one can even seem to agree that vapor is the correct term to be using, as opposed to mist or fog: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...905-vaping-myths-we-exhaling-water-vapor.html

The closest I've seen to a definitive answer is rolygate's post in this thread: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ss-card-explanation-vaping-3.html#post1996879

 

[DocWyatt]

Seems like one of the major manufacturers could easily answer this question. Simply have the vapor analyzed. How hard could this possibly be? Taking measurements of air is not difficult - they have every possible spore measurement in the air on any weather channel.

 

[PoliticallyIncorrect]

Seems like one of the major manufacturers could easily answer this question. Simply have the vapor analyzed. How hard could this possibly be? Taking measurements of air is not difficult - they have every possible spore measurement in the air on any weather channel.

The major players are all on the other side of the Pacific, and they're ok, I'm sure, with the 99% water vapor myth. You have to admit, that sounds better in a sales pitch than exhaled propylene glycol.

 

[DocWyatt]

The major players are all on the other side of the Pacific, and they're ok, I'm sure, with the 99% water vapor myth. You have to admit, that sounds better in a sales pitch than exhaled propylene glycol.

True enough. However, i assume that either PG or VG is water based. If so the vast majority of what is vaped HAS to be water. Ecigs do not have enough heat to vaporize a solid - only water. Therefore, it seems to me that the ONLY issue is how much of a solid does the water vapor carry in it - not whether it is almost all water.

Of course this presumes that they are both water based. And it also presumes that my VERY basic knowledge of chemistry is correct... LOL.

 

[PoliticallyIncorrect]

I make it a point not to argue with Doc Holiday (especially his Val Kilmer incarnation), but I believe PG is a form of alcohol.

I have a nephew who has a doctorate in chemistry. I'm going to have to ask him about this stuff.

 

[DocWyatt]

I presumed that even alcohol is water based. But this is getting far above my area of knowledge.

And yes, don't argue with the Doc...otherwise... "You're a daisy if you do"...

 

[DeepOrange]

Of course this presumes that they are both water based.

Both are soluble in water, but pure propylene glycol contains only propylene glycol molecules and pure glycerin contains only glycerin molecules. No water.

 

[Valsacar]

Found it:

Ecigarette mist harmless, inhaled or exhaled

 

[DocWyatt]

Both are soluble in water, but pure propylene glycol contains only propylene glycol molecules and pure glycerin contains only glycerin molecules. No water.

Ok, that makes sense, but is the liquid PURE PG or is it PG mixed with water to make it a liquid? I have no idea. If PG is a liquid on it's own and does not need water to become so... then... hmm... it seems to me that we are likely not vaping water vapor. But again, this is far, far above my knowledge of chemistry.

Again, i could put sugar into water and still vape pure water vapor. But sugar is not a liquid and requires water to become so. It is soluble into water. So whether PG is soluble INTO water is not relevant. Sugar has the exact same properties. But you would still be vaping almost 100% water vapor if vaping sugar water.. The only issue is whether the liquid we vape with PG is water based to become a liquid - or not.

 

[BigJohnJ]

May be a job for Mythbusters.

 

[DeepOrange]

Again, i could put sugar into water and still vape pure water vapor. But sugar is not a liquid and requires water to become so. It is soluble into water. So whether PG has water in it is not relevant. The only issue is whether the liquid we vape with PG is water based to become a liquid - or not.

It is a liquid at room temp and doesn't need a water base to become liquid. I'm sure there is some water in our liquids but "99% water vapor" exhale sounds like complete bunk, even considering the hygroscopy.

 

[DocWyatt]

May be a job for Mythbusters.

True. or perhaps someone that knows what the hell they are talking about when it comes to chemistry. That wouldn't be me.

I can't stand that show BTW. Apparently I am in the minority on that, lol. I find the characters very annoying, at best. Fortunately it is not on 24/7 like it used to be. I pretty much only watch those type of channels - and i immediately turned it when that show was on.

 

[DocWyatt]

It is a liquid at room temp and doesn't need a water base to become liquid. I'm sure there is some water in our liquids but "99% water vapor" exhale sounds like complete bunk, even considering the hygroscopy.

Hmm, well, if a liquid on it's own, it seems to me (with amazingly basic knowledge of chemistry) that there is almost no chance that the vapor that we are creating is simply water vapor.

Personally, if i was concerned about all this - which i am not, at all - i would jump into one of ScottBee threads... and ask this question. Those guys are techno machines.... Someone will likely be able to give a precise technical answer to all of this.

I could literally smoke any material I could possibly find in my home - and still be far less of a health hazard than smoking analogs. The only possible exception I can think of is your Teflon pans. I am somewhat convinced that any vapor from those will, without any doubt, be very hazardous to your health. Even the manufacturers admit that. Their response? Simply do not overheat the pans and all is well. Do not heat a frying pan? What? They are FDA approved of course - so obviously no worries there. I mean why would you be concerned that everyone, including the manufacturer knows that it is a serious health hazard if "overheated" yet the only purpose of it is to prevent sticking from heat?

But the health phobes get their breakfast going, every morning, on their great Calphalon pans with no worries as they are completely safe (obviously) as they are "approved". Money changing hands has nothing to do with it. Literally, nothing. What a joke.

 

[foggy1]

what ever we are exhaling is a heck of alot better than what we were
and it tastes sooooo good

 

[DocWyatt]

what ever we are exhaling is a heck of alot better than what we were
and it tastes sooooo good

I don't see how you could possibly make that statement. I mean analogs "only" have 4000 chemicals, carbon monoxide and "only" 400 known carcinogens. Considering that OBVIOUSLY people should be concerned about whether PG "might" not be good for you. LOL. (Obviously agreeing with him)

This reminds me of threads that people taste something burning in their carto and are "alarmed". Alarmed??? Are you kidding me? You have been puffing some of the most toxic chemicals known to mankind and you are 'alarmed" if you have the slightest hint of something burning in your carto??? LOL.

I don't think people should have high standards when it comes to logic or they will be very disappointed with the world. But something above a very small rodent would be helpful when comparing analogs vs. ecigs.

 

[The Fog]

I am so new that I haven't even started vaping yet, as I am still waiting for my order.

But I have studied a lot of common household chemicals as they relate to hair products, lol.

PG is an alcohol. However it is a humecting alcohol. Humectants attract water.

PG is considered good for the hair, as it attracts water to it. Unless one lives in a humid area and is prone to frizz, then one may not want to attract more water. Either way it is considered totally fine for the hair in rinse-out products, and humidity is only considered in the case of leave-in products, and then only for cosmetic, transient reasons. It is never thought to be actually damaging to the hair.

There are other alcohols that do not have humectant properties that are considered damaging. Isoprophyl and denatured grain, usually.