PG In Hospital Ventilation Systems?

[Larry J]

I've often see people here refer to the "fact" that hospitals pump PG into their ventilation systems as an antibacterial/antimicrobial, yet nowhere in my limited research on PG have I seen this use mentioned. Is this simply vaping folklore or does someone have some references I could check to confirm this. One of my reasons is that my sister is a doctor and I hesitate to bring this up unless I have back-up. Thanks for any help.

 

[Dahomey]

I've often see people here refer to the "fact" that hospitals pump PG into their ventilation systems as an antibacterial/antimicrobial, yet nowhere in my limited research on PG have I seen this use mentioned. Is this simply vaping folklore or does someone have some references I could check to confirm this. One of my reasons is that my sister is a doctor and I hesitate to bring this up unless I have back-up. Thanks for any help.

Hi Larry,

Personally, I don't know, but I did find a thread discussing this issue. It's here http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ey-put-hospital-ventilation-systems-cite.html Hope this helps!

 

[Froth]

The first reference I remember reading regarding PG in hospitals was at this link - National Vapers Club - Meeting Place for lovers of e-cigarettes, personal vaporizers and all things "fog" producing!

First paragraph;

"Propylene glycol is used in air sanitization and hard surface disinfection and dipropylene glycol is used in air sanitization."

"Propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol were first registered in 1950 and 1959, respectively, by the FDA for use in hospitals as air disinfectants."

"Indoor Non-Food: Propylene glycol is used on the following use sites: air treatment (eating establishments, hospital, commercial, institutional, household, bathroom, transportational facilities); medical premises and equipment, commercial, institutional and industrial premises and equipment; laundry equipment; hard non-porous surface treatments (bathroom facilities); automobiles; air conditioning filters; pet treatment, including cats, dogs, and caged birds; environmental inanimate hard surfaces; garbage containers/storage."

It would seem that based on that quote that PG was initially created for use in hospital air sanitation.

 

[klynnn]

Propylene Glycol Study

 

[Alien Traveler]

Propylene Glycol Study

O, no... 1942 year study. People just stopped using radium as a medicine...

 

[ruet]

Not specifically related to hospitals but:

Air Sanitizers

There is considerable evidence that glycol vapors produce significant decreases i/n numbers of viable airborne bacteria under relatively wide conditions of relative humidity and temperature when properly and continuously dispensed by a vaporizing device so as to maintain suitable concentrations in the air of enclosed spaces.

With dispensers for the intermittent treatment of air, such as pressurized aerosols, several investigators have shown that glycols (triethylene, dipropylene, or propylene glycol/b]) at concentrations of 5% or more in such formulations will temporarily reduce numbers of airborne bacteria when adequate amounts are dispensed under relatively ideal conditions.

 

[klynnn]

O, no... 1942 year study. People just stopped using radium as a medicine...

If pg killed germs in 1942 why would it not kill them in 2015?

 

[Alien Traveler]

If pg killed germs in 1942 why would it not kill them in 2015?

Radium also was killing something.

 

[Larry J]

Thanks, Dahomey! I guess I missed that one. It helps. I pretty much disregarded the 1980 article since it's so old, but the 2006 EPA document never mentions the use of PG in hospital ventilation systems, only in a separate wall-mounted unit with measured doses. It looks like its primary use is as a spray on hard surfaces, but is considered safe for inhalation. Unless anyone can come up with a more recent document I'm personally going to consider the claim of PG use in hospital ventilation systems to be debunked.

 

[Alien Traveler]

I could not found anything worthy on the net. At best it is no longer supported by FDA pages with titles like “Pesticide Reregistration Status”…

My googling on “antimicrobial air freshener ingredients propylene glycol” gave list of sites with suggestive headers:

Dangers of Chemical Cleaners - Aromatherapy Naturals
Household Cleaners - Guide to Less Toxic Products
Toxins in Household and Personal Care Products…

I gave up.

 

[stevegmu]

It is a myth. it was studied at one time, but not currently pumped into the ventilation systems. It is used in canister form which sprays a timed dosage. Also in locker rooms.

 

[caramel]

O, no... 1942 year study. People just stopped using radium as a medicine...

Not really.

FDA Approval for Radium 223 Dichloride - National Cancer Institute

 

[Alien Traveler]

Not really.

FDA Approval for Radium 223 Dichloride - National Cancer Institute

But of course - for terminally ill patients. They were just dying faster from cancer, then from radiation. They got about 3 month more to live in pain.

 

[caramel]

Standards updated in 1980:

Air Sanitizers | Pesticides | US EPA

 

[Alien Traveler]

Standards updated in 1980:

Air Sanitizers | Pesticides | US EPA

Yes, this page come again and again. But it is about "Pesticides: Science and Policy"...

 

[klynnn]

Germs are really tiny pests.

 

[caramel]

Yes, this page come again and again. But it is about "Pesticides: Science and Policy"...

"The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has defined pesticide as:

any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, or controlling any pest, including vectors of human or animal disease, "

Also check "biocides" here: Types of Pesticides | Pesticides | US EPA

And here's a quote from the original link:

"Air Sanitizers
DIS/TSS-11 / Sep. 3, 1980
EFFICACY DATA AND LABELING REQUIREMENTS:
Air Sanitizers

These requirements apply to products with label claims for the treatment of air to reduce the numbers of airborne microorganisms.

General.

There is considerable evidence that glycol vapors produce significant decreases i/n numbers of viable airborne bacteria under relatively wide conditions of relative humidity and temperature when properly and continuously dispensed by a vaporizing device so as to maintain suitable concentrations in the air of enclosed spaces.

With dispensers for the intermittent treatment of air, such as pressurized aerosols, several investigators have shown that glycols (triethylene, dipropylene, or propylene glycol) at concentrations of 5% or more in such formulations will temporarily reduce numbers of airborne bacteria when adequate amounts are dispensed under relatively ideal conditions.

For other types of products intended for the treatment of air, claims for reducing numbers of airborne microorganisms will be considered, providing supporting experimental data are submitted to justify such claims."

 

[Ladybear]

Pg is in my mouthwash. Colgate optic white....

 

[Alien Traveler]

PG is used as a base in most medicines as far as I understand?

Not most, but many. Even intravenous ones: "The high concentration of propylene glycol contained in certain intravenous drug products".

Propylene Glycol (Inactive Ingredient) - Drugs.com

But this thread is about very different thing: is PG In Hospital Ventilation Systems a myth?

 

[Thrasher]

There is pg in everything and if you dig you will find it has been studied relentlessly since the 40's

Even at extremely elevated levels of exposur they could not see an issue with it.

But it did make test monkeys gain weight when exposed to constant high doses.
you eat it.
You shower with it
you cook with it
It is in medicine
it is in your car
it must be aliens

www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/gen.../367917-safety-inhaling-propylene-glycol.html
scorecard.goodguide.com/chemical-profiles/pesticides.tcl?edf_substance_id=57-55-6