Silica wick a health issue?

[kileak]

So I've been reading these posts of people using cotton yarn and so forth instead of fiberglass/silica wicks. I am thinking of trying it as well. But, is silica really a health concern? I understand that you may inhale fibers of the wick that may cause problems. Can someone explain the issues please. Thanks.

 

[j4mmin42]

It's debatable. Some say that if the silica you use is fragile enough- and if during use, some of the "pops" or "juice explosions" are able to damage the silica to an extent that it ejects single fibers of silica into the air stream, those fibers (if inhaled) might be small enough that over time, they might catch and build up in the lungs, causing silicosis (basically, like a type of lung cancer that can't metastasize [spread] throughout the body).

I personally avoid the stuff, but even things like oxidized SS (residue from butane torching) or kanthal (made up of a small amount of aluminum) have risks. Anything is better than the certainty of health effects from tobacco smoking, though.

 

[kileak]

Thanks ninja. I found the the long discussion link on the topic here. Wow makes you think. I am going to try the cotton or bamboo yarn. I have a vivi nova I am wanting to use it on.

 

[Cid78]

For me personally, if the silica wick is wet enough, that should not be inhaled. So i guess i will still using silica wicks as this is one of the easiest method when building RBA, and taste good also..

 

[Randy C]

I personally won't ever use silica. Just look at your fingers with a magnifying glass after handling it. Tiny silica splinters EVERYWHERE!

 

[budynbuick]

Till I start coil rebuilding (soon) I cut the silica wick flush with the coil & simply lay a sterile strip of gauze/cotton (cut to length) over the silica wrapped coil & hopefully this will filter any potential pieces of silica that may break free. Hopefully the wet cotton on top will hold any silica from being vaped.
Keith