Propylene Glycol: A Misunderstood Ingredient
In our latest article on The Smoker’s Angel, John looks at Propylene Glycol – and pops some myths.
Propylene Glycol Anti-freeze
One charge often levelled at e-cigarettes is that they contain anti-freeze. This is quite true, as John explains:
It is also employed … as a non-toxic antifreeze in drinking water systems
Hmm – in drinking water. They left that bit out!
Inhaling
Anti-smoking groups often argue that we don’t know what the ingredient does to us when we inhale it. But John finds data that states:
“There are no adverse health effects via inhalation”.
(Material Safety Data sheet – Mallinckrodt Baker Inc.).
Is it toxic?
John argues that the ingredient is not normally toxic, stating:
In one study, rats were given feed containing up to 5% PG over a period of 104 weeks (2 years) and they showed no apparent ill effects.
There are websites which will tell you the opposite. These are either sponsored/controlled by companies with a vested interest, eg. health foods, “natural” cosmetics, etc. and /or people who deliberately or through ignorance misinterpret the results, for example saying it is toxic without mentioning it is only mildly toxic in extremely high doses.
Read the full article here: Propylene Glycol: The Principal Electronic Cigarette Ingredient
Tags: electronic cigarette ingredients, propylene glcol
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PROPYLENE GLYCOL IS NOT ANTI-FREEZE. THAT IS DIETHYLENE GLYCOL YOU ARE THINKING OF! If you are going to make inflammatory remarks about a person, product or company maybe you should do some research before spouting of lies. Propylene glycol is in asthma medication for nebulizers and inhalers and is fully approved by the FDA for delivery to the lungs in vapor form. The other ingredients in e-cigs are water, nicotine(addictive but not harmful) and flavors. They are not only safe but possibly beneficial. Studies going back as far as 1942 show that propylene glycol delivered to the lungs can ward off infections in lab mice. Users report miracles every day. My chronic bronchitis…….CURED. My doctor stood there looking at my chest xray for 20 min scratching his head. “The infections gone” he said. “No crap doc, that’s what I told you!” I Said
John is not actually arguing that propylene glycol is bad – quite the opposite! If you read the complete article you will see that John says:
“This is an important and widely used additive and as such will have been tested exhaustively and has been found to be safe. There are websites which will tell you the opposite. These are either sponsored/controlled by companies with a vested interest, eg. health foods, “natural” cosmetics, etc. and /or people who deliberately or through ignorance misinterpret the results, for example saying it is toxic without mentioning it is only mildly toxic in extremely high doses.”
Read more: http://www.ecigarettedirect.co.uk/magazine/propylene-glycol.html
To: Ur a Dummy: What makes you think there is only one anti-freeze? Isn’t salt an anti-freeze? So are many other substances – anything which lowers the freezing point of water could be considered an anti-freeze. Try reading what it SAYS – not what you THINK IT SAYS.
PS. We can also offer reading glasses and/or English lessons.
hello
I suffer from depression and take citalopram anti depressants. I would like to quit smoking traditional cigarettes and start on the E Cigs. I have read that PG has adverse effects to those who suffer from anxiety or depression, which naturally, worries me. Can you suggest any recommended none PG E Cigarettes?
Many thanks, Rachael
Hi Rachael
Please note that the electronic cigarette is not an approved cessation aid, although many smokers have managed to successfully switch to the electronic cigarette (an alternative form of nicotine usage).
Some users prefer to use vegetable glycerine as an alternative to propylene glycol, but I believe they mix it themselves. You would need a refillable e-cigarette (like those on the http://www.thesmokersangel.co.uk.)
I am not aware of normal use of PG causing depression, but be aware that you are almost certainly using PG every day – it is in many everyday products including foods, medicines, cosmetics, deodorant and even in air-conditioners.
Hi
Many thanks for the response. Il look into the vegetable glycerine as an aletnative although i dot like the thought of mixing it myself. Maybe il try the electronic cig anyway if PG is found in other things i come into contact with in day to day life.
Thanks again
Rachael, would you mind sharing your sources about the relation between propylene glycol and anxiety/depression?
Hi James,
Its not really a source as such, i was reading some comments on a forum and a couple of depression sufferers said that when they used the PG based E Cig it made their anxiety a lot worse, so theres no actual articles on it so to speak, just peoples personal experiences. I myself suffering from anxiety would hate to feel even worse, so i will take their advice on board. Sorry i couldnt supply you with anything concrete.
Hello Rachel. There are VG-based e-liquids offered by various e-cigarette brands. Janty, a European-based e-cigarette brand, has those available here – http://france.jantyworld.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=136&Itemid=179&lang=en. My friend who is allergic to PG (he gets dry throat and cough) used VG e-liquid instead.
Thanks for the comment, Tim.
Rachel, we are also doing a pg e-liquid now – Vigirinia smooth, which you can find here: http://www.ecigarettedirect.co.uk/products/e-liquid.html .