• SupraMario@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      11 hours ago

      PG has been pumped through hospitals hvac since the 50s because of its antibacterial abilities. Basically they do it to help curb MSRA infections. We very well know what PG does to us, vaping isn’t much different.

      • Triumph@fedia.io
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        5
        ·
        10 hours ago

        Not since the 50s, in the 50s. And at a much lower concentration than what vaping is.

        I’ve been vaping for about 15 years. Don’t get me wrong, vaping is far safer than inhaling tobacco smoke or putting a wad of dip in your mouth. That doesn’t make it safe, and I’m unaware of any real studies on the long-term effects of vaping. I am aware of some very badly performed lab studies that were clearly designed to produce results showing how awful it is by operating vape devices in ways that no person ever would or even could. Yes, PG has a mild antiseptic effect. Yes, the flavorings used are “generally regarded as safe” (GRAS) … for eating.

        What I know anecdotally from my own experience:

        • Over time, vaping in a closed area leaves a sticky residue on everything. I’m sure my lungs are doing work to eliminate that residue that they wouldn’t have to do otherwise, and I don’t know the health effects of that.
        • The inside of my mouth is constantly dry and feels kind of gross. I’m sure my breath isn’t great.
        • My teeth are badly stained. I avoid dark juices, as those seem to do it much worse.

        All that said, I’m still glad I switched from cigarettes.

        • SupraMario@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          6 hours ago

          Interesting, the study I read, which was like 10 years ago now, when I was vaping, showed that it was still a common thing in hospitals to help curb mrsa infections, and why the air in a hospital usually has a weird feel/taste to it.

          That residue is basically from VG/PG buildup with whatever flavor you’re using. I’d be curious if it happened without any flavoring at all. I suspect it wouldn’t build up at all.

          • Triumph@fedia.io
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            3
            ·
            5 hours ago

            Not finding that study myself here, but I’m happy to stand corrected on that.

            What I did find was this

            Most critically, vaporised PG efficiently abolishes influenza A virus and SARS‐CoV‐2 infectivity within airborne droplets, potently preventing infection at levels well below those tolerated by mammals. We present PG vapour as a first‐in‐class non‐toxic airborne virucide that can prevent transmission of existing and emergent viral pathogens, with clear and immediate implications for public health.

            Which might explain why everyone in my family (in the house and extended) has had COVID (often more than once) and I never have.

            • SupraMario@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              1
              ·
              1 hour ago

              I’ll have to dig around for it. It was a legit paper posted from one of those vape forums back in the day when people where building their own vapes. I was really surprised about it.

              But that covid/flu paper doesn’t surprise me. I’m betting minus the staining you’re talking about, you’re gums are probably in better shape than others who don’t vape as well. As I know it killed bacteria as well.

              • Triumph@fedia.io
                link
                fedilink
                arrow-up
                1
                ·
                49 minutes ago

                Yes, a couple months after I switched, my dentist told me my mouth was in much better shape.

                Like I said, safer than tobacco by far, not necessarily safe.