Is there a consensus on store bought glycerin vs VG purchased from a reputable source?

[stateek]

From what I can gather as long as the store glycerin says USP it is okay to vape and can be used in place of VG, but is there any definitive info out there?

 

[Sthur]

Here is a long post about vg. I have used humco from wall mart and now from natural groceriers. Both seem good and no problem I have seem. Make sure it's pure VG and in the states ours say USP grade.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...table-glycerin-vs-humco-glycerin-warning.html

 

[UnclePsyko]

rolygate has this bit of info...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/277267-purity-pg-vg-peg-short-version.html
Down at the Purity section it states...

PG and VG are both sold in good quality and are labelled:
Propylene Glycol, USP (or BP or EU)
Glycerine, USP (or BP or EU)

It is possible that a USP product can be either pharma grade or food grade. The USP designation only refers to a general production regime and does not cover the exact contaminants as long as the minimum standard is met. So a USP product might be considered safe for inhalation; or it might, on test, prove inadvisable to inhale. The only product that is guaranteed to be suitable for inhalation is a product that is (a) designated by the manufacturer as Pharmaceutical Grade, and that (b) also has a provable license for inclusion in a specific inhalable medicine. Needless to say this is virtually impossible to locate for the individual buyer. A vendor would be able to buy e.g. Dow Optim glycerine in quantity, for mixing down (or its PG equivalent), and be assured the material is suitable. This however doesn't take into account the nicotine base carrier PG or glycerine.

As a practical example, the FDA has warned that glycerine marked USP may contain toxic components from biodiesel byproduct manufacture, and currently there appears to be no way of determining whether or not a USP product contains biodiesel byproduct glycerine. Only synthetic pharma grade glycerine can be be assumed to be free of such contaminants at this time.

So, basically it's your call. I will say though that many do use VG from CVS without issue. It's a judgement call.

 

[stateek]

The glycerin from a store isn't necessarily vegetable glycerin though right? It does seem worrying that USP doesn't mean without toxic byproducts. Although it sounds like loads of people are using it without issue. It's tough to say, more of a judgement call than anything else I guess.

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[UnclePsyko]

The glycerin from a store isn't necessarily vegetable glycerin though right? It does seem worrying that USP doesn't mean without toxic byproducts. Although it sounds like loads of people are using it without issue. It's tough to say, more of a judgement call than anything else I guess.

Thanks for the input guys.

I believe Glycerin from the store/pharmacy is vegetable glycerin... but the actual purity of it may be in question. Its fine for ingestion, but it may not be "Pure" enough for inhalation.

 

[Rsunderl]

I've read through the USP papers, and the glycerine in question must say Glycerine USP with nothing between the words to meet at least the food grade designation. They also state that there is no way that can be enforced except through receiving complaints.

That being said, I doubt that a chain like Humco, Rite Aid or CVS would risk being caught defying the rules of the designation. They have too much to lose.

In general, there are a lot of people who use this with vaping (I'm one myself) who haven't (yet) had any problems with it.

It all comes down to what degree of risk you, the individual are willing to accept.