Silica wick & Silicosis health risk

[RooRooBears]

Was about to purchase an IGO-L with silica wick and kanthal wire but then I thought about the medical implications with silica...

Chronic exposure to silica can lead to silicosis, a type of lung cancer. It's common with sand blasters, glass workers, tunneling, quarrying, etc. Microscopic silicone fibers, if vaped often and over a long period of time, builds up in the lungs and airways.

I've decided to stay away because that's the whole point of why most of us stopped smoking - to avoid lung cancer. I'm wondering if many people are aware of this condition or not and as to why it's popular with vapors and vendors.

Question: What's a good alternative to using silica? Stainless Steel mesh or Cotton - Which is better and safer?

 

[Wish]

Cotton is best for flavor quality. However, if you get a dry hit, it dies on you. SS Mesh is cool but takes a bit of time to build right. Try and look up ceramic wicks. I think they work good as well.

 

[pdib]

Can't find anything bad about cotton. I've used cotton; often with a thin sleeve of stainless steel mesh just where the coil is.

View attachment 193597

 

[RooRooBears]

Can't find anything bad about cotton. I've used cotton; often with a thin sleeve of stainless steel mesh just where the coil is.

View attachment 193597

There any special kind of cotton? Or... can I just tear up my pillow and use that?

I really, really like that setup you have there, pdib. Was thinking of something similar to that but couldn't really put a solid picture to that - your pic says it all! If you don't mind, I'd like to copy your setup. Looks like a really efficient way to use the rba.

 

[Rictic]

I'd need some hard evidence to be convinced that you're inhaling a significant amount of silica particles from a wick, especially one that is soaked in e-liquid and tucked away in a capped atomizer shell - unless you constantly inhale dry-burnt silica fumes; I can only assume that would be the real issue.

That being said, pdib that setup looks like a great idea. I'm gonna try that....

 

[pdib]

Thanks. Yes, just any old cotton. People like unbleached, 100%, or even organic. I think, one needn't be too concerned over a wick or two. If you stick with it in the long run, you can order organic cotton from Burma, or whatever. Two readily available types are cotton yarn from the drugstore (string, a ball of string) and unbleached cheesecloth (like kitchen supply). You'll find plenty of pix of builds using those. Boil/simmer it a bit first, just to mitigate the flavor. Cotton flavor usually all but disappears in, say, 10 minutes of vaping.

 

[pdib]

I'd need some hard evidence to be convinced that you're inhaling a significant amount of silica particles from a wick, especially one that is soaked in e-liquid and tucked away in a capped atomizer shell - unless you constantly inhale dry-burnt silica fumes; I can only assume that would be the real issue.

So, what goes through your mind when you get a dry/burnt hit? (I sometimes use silica too, BTW. But with the ss mesh sleeve/cuff)

 

[Horselady154]

I'd be a little more careful about the cotton chosen. A ton of chemicals are used on cotton. At least get organic.

 

[Rictic]

So, what goes through your mind when you get a dry/burnt hit?

death......

 

[Horselady154]

Can't find anything bad about cotton. I've used cotton; often with a thin sleeve of stainless steel mesh just where the coil is.

View attachment 193597

That looks neat. Did you oxidize the stainless steel?

 

[pdib]

That looks neat. Did you oxidize the stainless steel?

Thanks. Honestly, I don't know. probably not. One certainly wouldn't need to with that set up.

 

[pdib]

death......

Kind of like smoking, then, huh?

 

[Rictic]

Rooroo if you decide to try cotton I hear that boiling it beforehand helps remove at least some possible impurities. something like 20 min.

 

[RooRooBears]

I'd need some hard evidence to be convinced that you're inhaling a significant amount of silica particles from a wick, especially one that is soaked in e-liquid and tucked away in a capped atomizer shell - unless you constantly inhale dry-burnt silica fumes; I can only assume that would be the real issue.

That being said, pdib that setup looks like a great idea. I'm gonna try that....

Hard evidence? Sure, no problem. I'll give you some in 20 or so years - that's how science and medicine is researched. I'm sure it isn't just me out there, but if there are proven risks involved, I'd like to stay away. Of course there are no hard evidence so far because, for the most part and like I said, Silicosis is a chronic condition - WE are the "testing subjects" of vaping with silica. The next generation of vapors will have their evidence - us. Again, that's the whole point of quitting the cigarettes. Silicosis is proven and if you're entirely sure there are no microscopic fibers going into your airways, by all means, be my guest. Me? I'd rather not take the risk and find out years later I have acute or chronic silicosis.

That being said, I tend to think a ceramic wick is not as dangerous but also poses some risks due to the mixed chemicals that make up the ceramic compound.

Conclusion: Sticking to cotton or Stainless Steel mesh, but be sure to regularly clean the SS mesh with some rubbing alcohol to dispose of any rust or chemical residue.

Again, this is just my opinion. Do what you want with your body, but I believe everyone should know the risks involved of what they're doing with RBAs after escaping from the cancer causing burning cigarette.

 

[RooRooBears]

Now I'm just plain scared... lol.

Cotton - boil it in hot water, at least 20 min.
SS Mesh - burn it up or soil in rubbing alcohol.

Any other suggestions?

 

[pdib]

Well, you should probably read the thread about what torching stainless steel mesh does. ChromiumVI oxide, and what not.

 

[pdib]

Oh, and your intuition about ceramics is right, but your facts aren't. Actually, they are SILICA. And, yes, there is a gritty dusty residue involved in shaping and using them. Silica dust.

 

[pdib]

Some friends of mine once brought me a T-shirt from Thailand. It said, "Have fun, everythings funny"

 

[RooRooBears]

Some friends of mine once brought me a T-shirt from Thailand. It said, "Have fun, everythings funny"

lol cheers to that. screw it, ordered an IGO-L with kanthal wire, SS mesh, and a few feet of silica to give it a try. tomorrow, stop by CVS for some cotton rolls. probably get hit by a car or shot by a gun earlier than whatever these things may do to me anyhow.

 

[pdib]

by the way, the stainless sleeve solves any issues with silica fibers getting burnt or distressed, methinks. Just make sure to cut it clean, and don't manhandle the stuff unnecessarily. ENJOY!