I agree that all of the chemicals in our liquids have the POTENTIAL for harm , but as I sit here typing on my keyboard, my fingers are absorbing volatile organics given off by the plastics ........ like anything , it is the amount of exposure that is critical ...
Yes I agree, as I said I have done 0 tests on the liquids, I just made a list of each chemical that have been confirmed as parts of liquids (Ruyan, totally wicked's, etc) by the professional labs and posting what potential health effects they might have. Of course the quantity of each will make all the difference, but for example if the ratio of nicotine and acrolein are the same in tobacco and eliquid, I think the eliquid is going to deliver more un-damaged acrolein molecules to the bloodstream simply because there is no combustion or side-smoke and most people seem to take in more nicotine through e-smoking to try to compensate for the pleasure of tobacco smoking. As far as the nicotine source, the labs have identified tobacco-specific chemicals, which shows that the nicotine is being extracted from tobacco and not synthesized (if it was made in the lab it wouldn't have tobacco chemicals in it). Also the fact that this is being repeatedly consumed (some people put no-nic liquid in and puff all day) over long periods of time makes even smaller amounts much more dangerous in the long run (just because a cigarette didn't kill you doesn't mean smoking for your whole life is a safe thing to do).
The flavorings (food-perfume, essential oils, flavored sex-lube) that are being used have NOT been tested even by the professional labs, every report I have read just says "an essential oil component" or something similar, and usually justify their safety checkmark by mentioning it is used in some foods or simply that it is not a regulated substance. This is highly inadequate for a long-term safety report in the doses we consume, and I think they deserve more investigation.
I must say I lied about not doing more research, all day yesterday I was thinking of new things worth checking out/writing up as a reference (like the maoi/nicotine research on tobacco and how it could be replicated in eliquid), so that will be coming whenever I find some free time (or more stimulants
). I have a couple of personal chem projects to finish up this week, but right after that I will be working on a write-up for nicotine isolation (for t-bob) that can be done at the home by any non-chemist with a little common sense and some free time. I will try extracting from tobacco and extracting from already-made e-liquid because I believe if I can find a way to get the PG or VG out of the picture and then proceed with extraction it will be a much less laborious process for the individual (plant extractions are rather time and labor-consuming and often messy in the first stages). Nicotine isolation is the #1 way to cut down on dangerous chemicals in the eliquid (safety checking the flavorings is a very close #2), and the essential components (pg, water, nicotine, ethanol, and even a couple of the flavorings I could find info on) are all relatively safe, so it IS possible to make a "safe" e-liquid (if the government shuts off supply or if suppliers refuse to provide ingredient lists). But in any case I will keep ya posted on whatever I come up with.
