Silica Wick

[SweetCare]

I'm trying to research the wicks. I had ran into a post explaining the dangers of silica wick fragments going into your lungs and causing damage. I believe it was on the mod forum, but I am wondering if this is a worry with all ecigs?

We've (my husband and I) ordered the Halo G6 and mini tanks....we're also considering getting the Triton soon. I'm guessing the wicks in the mini tanks and triton are silica. Would these be a danger and would they need to be changed out to cotton....can they be changed out? What could be done to keep our lungs safer if it is a danger?

I've been trying to research this myself but can't find a clear answer about the Halo products.

Thanks for helping this newbie out!


Here is the thread I am referring to:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modding-forum/284030-wick-materials-safe-vs-dangerous.html

 

[Boiler]

I remember that, I think the conclusion of that thread was that these wicks are made of a kind of stretched silica which cannot break down into small enough particles to enter the lungs - but they can give you a scratchy throat.

I switched to cotton.

 

[AttyPops]

I won't comment on the products because I don't use those. I'll leave it to those that use them.

Here's my experience if it's worth anything:

To me, there are three "classes" of wicking:
1) Silica thread
2) Metal like Stainless Steel Mesh, ceramics of various types, metal foams, etc
3) Organic types (Cotton, bamboo, ...)

I put silica in it's own category since that's the topic. It's also ubiquitous.

I was worried about it too. There is a disappearing silica phenomenon where you have to ask "where did it go?" Most are still using it. I'm using it right now, after having gone through 2 cotton wicks recently.

There are combinations that people make for RBA stuff. Like mesh covered by cotton, or cotton covered by mesh. Or silica in there too (although if you're trying to avoid silica, why put any in?)

Most think that you should rinse the wick after making it. Many also think that juice gunking up the wick makes it harmless in terms of shards.

Nonetheless, I'm trying to find a reliable way to avoid it. Alas, silica works the best. Cotton is a close second for me. Mesh...meh. But hey, there's a lot of variability in juice thickness, mesh rolling, that I may not have gotten it rolled the best the last 5 times I tried it. Many use mesh in certain RBA's.

Anyway, I'm in the "Get an RBA and roll you own coils" camp, if for no other reason than they can't ban it if they go after internet e-cig sales. And with an RBA, I can use whatever wicking material I wish.

If you go the "wind your own coils" route, please invest in an inexpensive multimeter and learn about it. It's not hard, and comes in real handy.

So...bottom line...there may be something to the silica worry...so I'm not freaking out, but I'm looking to switch long term.

 

[cvedrick]

Any idea about alumina ceramic? It can be had intape, rope and sheets, but no clue if it would be good as wick much less about the hazards