Where does the vapor go?

[Brego]

So I have been off analogs for about 3 weeks now and have noticed my place stinks like old cigarettes. I am shampooing the carpet and cleaning all the woodwork and a question popped into my head; Where does the vapor I exhale go? Soon after exhaling it visibly dissipates, but what then? Does it end up deposited on the walls and carpet the same as the smoke residue used to? I suppose that it must, right?

This also reminds me of a comment in another thread where the commenter mentioned that in the office where he works the air is hazy by the afternoon due to employees vaping. Has anyone else experienced this?

This also makes me wonder of how long it will be before we start to hear about "The dangers of second-hand vapor!"

Thoughts?

 

[Harlequin]

Vapor is far less substantial even than smoke; fewer and lighter particles. It does hang in the air before dissipating - you can see it under strong, angled light - but nowhere near as long as smoke does. I'm just guessing, but given that what we exhale is very substantially water vapor (the largest part of the nicotine, etc. having been absorbed on the inhale), I can't imagine that there is any meaningful "danger" in second-hand vapor, except possibly to people with extraordinarily sensitive allergic reactions.

 

[otrpu]

Read a string yesterday, can't remember which forum. Guy drives alot for a livin. He's noticed, "some kind of film accumulation on his inside windshield". Appears to take around 3 weeks until he notices it. But, when he cleans the inside window he can see that there is "something" there. Says, it's not near as thick an accumulation as he used to get when smoking cigarettes. But, something is accumulating there. He specified he's an heavy VP ratio vaper. At least 50/50 and was thinking about going > or even 100% VP. So, I'm a hopin whatever it is. . .it gets mostly exhaled with the vapor, rather than a greater amount staying in my lungs. Course, depends on what it actually is, and if it's harmful. Hopefully, whatever it is, that the lungs/body normal cleansing processes can carry it away or out faster than it builds up. Not trying to be an alarmist. Just be aware, nobody knows for certain yet that vaping isn't harmful, and certainly it carries more risk than just breathing air.

Cheers,
otrpu

 

[cskent]

Here's my understanding of the chemical process involved in producing vapor from PG and VG. Maybe we have a chemistry teacher here on ECF who can correct me if my calculations are inaccurate.

Propylene Glycol has a chemical composition of C3-H8-O2. When heated to its flash point (228 deg F) it breaks down into 2 H20, and 3 CH, with one H left over. So you're making water, hydrogen and a simple hydrocarbon as a result. Vegetable Glycerin has a chemical composition of C3-H5-(OH)3. When it is heated to its flash point it breaks down into 3 H2O, 2 CH, and one left over C. In this case you're making water, a simple hydrocarbon, and carbon. In either case you're producing 50% water, and approximately 40% hydrocarbons, with the remaining percentage as either hydrogen or carbon. Any "film" accumulation will be the result of the hydrocarbon or the carbon.

Of course if you mix PG and VG as most of us do, the free carbon and hydrogen will also combine to form more CH in proportion to availability.

 

[StormFinch]

But, from what I've read we aren't heating the juice to the flashpoint, just boiling it off. It stands to reason then that portions of the PG, VG and flavorings are being sent into the air as vapor along with the water content that the PG and VG have absorbed. Probably that film, and I've noticed it on my own car windows, is nothing more than a small fraction of what we are taking in.

 

[Hoosier]

Noticed the film effect of PG long before ever hearing of a PV.

Many years of running a haunted house. Had to consider placement of fog machines accordingly as the film can be slippery.

Always thought it was re-condensed PG and had no reason to bring in a study group as, except for the slipperiness, it was a non-issue in my mind.

Still think it's no big deal except it takes some elbow grease to get it off the insides of my car windows.

 

[StormFinch]

I wondered about this Hoosier, thanks for bringing it up. Basically I'm guessing that with the PG we're disinfecting our environment. It can and is used for that purpose on surfaces.

 

[Automaton]

Ha ha, disinfecting your car with vaping, StormFinch?

Yeah, it seems like some of the PG/VG and flavoring winds up in our lungs, where it's broken down and absorbed, and some of it winds up on surfaces. I've noticed a slight film on my computer screen as well. Sometimes I blow vapor directly at it to watch it "woosh" out, heh.

The nicotine is absorbed by the time it hits your mouth. Breathing into your lungs isn't even really necessary to get nic. I think I read that something like 0.1% may make it out of your exhaled vapor from the New Zealand Health study.

 

[tybin]

so what about pg causes anemia in cats? i read there was a study in another country that said inhalation of pg for cats created this problem...gues it would be the simple hydrocarbon ???

 

[Papa Lazarou]

Yes PG is not good for cats as it causes Heinz Body Anemia Heinz Body Anemia In Cats I don't think it's inhalation that caused the issue, more likely through pet food. But best not to blow vapour directly at them..

 

[tybin]

Yes PG is not good for cats as it causes Heinz Body Anemia Heinz Body Anemia In Cats I don't think it's inhalation that caused the issue, more likely through pet food. But best not to blow vapour directly at them..

That might be worth a sticky somewhere

 

[StormFinch]

Ha ha, disinfecting your car with vaping, StormFinch?

Believe me Mistress, my car needs the disinfecting. Teenage boys you know...

That might be worth a sticky somewhere

Actually any sticky would need to say that juice should be kept away from all pets, and children as well. IIRC we already had one vaper lose a dog because it got hold of their plastic bottle of nic juice. (table surfing) Nothing about it is safe in the posession of those that have no way to know the dangers.

 

[Brego]

I am noticing a deposit on the inside of the windshield of my car (need to roll the window down, just like analogs, I guess). Reminds me of the time the heater core in my car was leaking. Agreed it is no big deal (vaping, not the heater core, that was a mess). I also agree we should not inflict it upon our pets unnecessarily.

But, how about the inside of our homes? It is probably no big deal, but have you noticed anything? Have you noticed any slime on your furniture or the TV screen (like analog smoke), or anything?

I realize this is a picayune thing, I am simply seeking the wisdom of those more experienced with vaping than I. Besides, who else do we have to talk to about vaping?

 

[jj2]

Don't know if this amounts to anything, but I've been vaping for over a year and a half. The majority has been around my computer. I have not notice a residue on anything, and that includes my CPU which I take the cover off about twice a year to blow the dust and dog hair out.

 

[Strigoi]

i've only noticed the film on the inside of my windshield and it easily wiped off.

 

[sosolidgold]

it may be that vg sticks to water? and that moisture is getting caught on ur windshield and stuck because of the vg

 

[Zeroi]

The Vapor doesn't really bother me much