I've been thinking of switching to ecigs rather than tobacco. At least as an alternative or to help me cut down or quit smoking all together. Been doing a bit of research here and there, and the only reason I haven't bought one yet it because I don't have the money to do so and I'm kind of wary since manufacturers of the oils don't list ingredients and there aren't any regulations on the whole ecig thing yet. I read somewhere that there have been 2 confirmed cases of Lipoid Pneumonia (and have seen comments of quite a few others that believe their case of pneumonia was linked to ecig usage, aka 'vaping') between 2004? and 2011. Both confirmed cases made a full recovery, but I know pneumonia is a very scary thing to deal with. Especially when you get older... I'm only 27, but health problems don't discriminate. The 2 confirmed cases of the rare Lipoid Pneumonia were from people using Glycerin based oils. Now, I'm not sure (I'll be sure to ask the clerks at a few different vapor shops soon enough) and ask, but from what I gathered, the nicotine oils are either Glycerin-based or a Propylene Glycol substance. I'll just go ahead and paste what the commenter said. "Actually, a study, done by a doctor in the 1940's at the University of Chicago, with Propolyn Glycol proved just the opposite. Propolyn Glycol kills the virus and bacteria types of pneumonia which are the two major pneumonia causing pathogens. So it is doubtful it was caused by a virus or a bacteria. However, with that being said, it is possible that she may have rather been diagnosed with lipiod pneumonia which can definitely be caused by something like vaping due to the nature of the e-liquid she used. If she used a liquid with VG it might very well have caused it. About Lipoid Pneumonia: Lipoid pneumonia is an uncommon condition that results from the chronic aspiration of mineral, animal, or vegetable oils into the lungs. Inhaled oil is phagocytosed by macrophages that fill the alveoli and distend the alveolar walls, causing acute and chronic pneumonitis. Over time, the macrophages transport the oil from the alveoli to the interlobular septa, resulting in localized granulomas and pulmonary fibrosis. Such things as nasal drops and mineral oil, vegetable oil have been known to cause this type of pneumonia when inhaled. So there you go. Vaping could very well cause a certain type of pneumonia...so be careful out there!" So, in the near future, I'm planning on having a chat with a few vapor enthusiasts and hopefully they aren't as much in the dark as everyone else seems to be with this exploding ecig craze. (NO pun intended. That's another thing though. There have been a few reports of ecig batteries exploding due to faulty wiring or battery manufacturing, as manufacturers of ecigs have little to no regulation as of yet either.) From the research they have done, I've heard there are sometimes as little as 10 ingredient/chemical types in ecig oil. Well below where tobacco cigarettes rank in at somewhere around 7,000 chemicals and ~60 known carcinogens. I have a few friends and family members that have switched to ecigs and have been using them for years without any problems that I know of. But still, without proper research, you just never know. Something could happen 10 years down the road. I only hear good things though so far, how their lungs feel clearer, they can breathe better, food tastes better, couple lung cookies here and there... Anyone else out there have more information? Any ecig users care to give product reviews?
the e-juice shouldn't actually be an oil. you are correct in that they are usually based on either vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol or some blend of the two. it appears as an oil but is actually water soluble. the nicotine and flavorings tho, I'm not sure about what's in them.
Water vapor itself scares me a little. Pneumonia = fluid buildup in the lungs. I mean, you can take a shower or inhale steam to clear your airways a bit, but the amount of vapor from water being heated up to a certain degree goin into your lungs can't be good. I'm excited to see how knowledgable the vapor experts will be lol.
