ZMax Review

Here at O2 Easy we sell a mod (or battery) called the ZMax by Sigelei.

The ZMax is wonderful for all levels of Vapors in our community. From the newbie working towards more advanced vaping experience, to the already advanced vapors who tweak and fiddle around with everything they touch. To go more in detail lets start by looking at each of the pieces it comes with and I will explain how it can benefit each individual.

This is what you get when you open the box (which has a magnetic flap, I just thought that was neat) and you have this big mod with a screen, charger, and two batteries. The first thing you may notice is, "Okay so there's two batteries that's wonderful but how do they fit?" If you look a little closer there are two different bottoms for the Zmax for each battery to push out it's potential power. But it gets better, and some of you more advanced vapors have probably heard of this before.
The ZMax has something called a telescopic case, and what that means is you can twist up or down to adjust the size of the mod. With doing this you can always switch out which battery you think you may need for whatever situation or day you're having; and always have a backup.

The best thing, and most important feature of the ZMax is the VV/VW, and for you newbies that stands for Variable Voltage, and Variable Wattage. Okay so what does that mean in English? It means you can control how much flavor and how much of a vape cloud you get with your juice. 

I'm sure a lot of you have probably seen or heard of the Twist which is a great mod for VV/VW but this mod goes above and beyond. The twist has a range of 3.2V~4.8V (that's in voltage of 0.2V increments) while the ZMax  goes from 3.0V to 6.0V in 0.1V increments. 

I know it might be a lot to take in if you're new to this but to put it in a simple way to understand, the ZMax  is a very simple device with a huge amount of customization when it comes to how you want your vape to be. On top of that, (this may get the more advanced vapors interested) it also displays your resistance and max voltage of your tank you have on it. So in other words it's an ohm meter and voltage meter on your mod for those who like to re-wick and rebuild the tanks they buy. It's just a simple button push away on the LCD Display menu.

Okay here's the kicker:

Look closely.

Yes you can even charge your phone with your mod. Just screw on the adapter to where your tank would usually go and plug in via USB. Now I'm not quite sure if that's anything with USB ie: a tablet or another Ecig, but considering you can change the wattage and voltage I don't see why that wouldn't be possible. Now is this phone charger really necessary? No, of course not. But if it's already there why not use it?

As always, Vape Hard, Vape Strong, Vape On Everyone!

-Pete @ o2 Easy

Hosted Events and our Rewards Program

At o2Easy we are not just a normal retail store to provide you with the gear and juice you need to vape with, we also host different events throughout the week to build our relationship with out customers.

One the things we ask from you is to just come on in and relax with us, we are a vapor lounge with complimentary WiFi and Coffee, and on top of that we have our 5 Star reward program.

What is the 5 Star Reward Program?

5 Star is the reward program we host to make sure our customers are satisfied with our service, and to give back to the customer for shopping with us, but to also come hang out with us.

So far the reward we offer is a FREE 12ml bottle of Juice when you receive 10 stars.

So how do YOU get these stars?

You receive a star for every $10 purchase, so if you happened to get our Starter Blister Pack, that would give you 3 stars for we charge only $29.95 for each kit. 

But it gets better, as I mentioned about the events that we host, you also get a star for every time you come in and hang out with us.

Okay, that sounds lovely but what are the events you host?

Right now we are currently hosting:

Open Mic Night:

Different musicians and artists come in and play live music or recite spoken word poetry. So if you or a friend of yours can write poetry, play an instrument or is in a band, let us know and we could probably hook you up with a discount if they could come in.

Board Game Night:

We have all the classics, and the older versions so they will be the way you remember them. Our Board Game selection includes : The Game of Life, Clue, Sorry!, Monopoly, Pictionary, Scrabble, Apples to Apples, and Manacala.

Video Game Night: 

We don't have this 100% completely worked out yet, but we're planning on getting all THREE consoles in here, Xbox 360, PS3, and the Wii so our gamer customers can come in and geek out with us.

Stop Smoking Event:

This is usually during the day or afternoon, and we sit down with you and help you quit analog cigarettes. We've all been there, it's hard to stop smoking; so we give you our testimonies and educate you with what Electronic Cigarettes are and how they can benefit your health and well being.

Art Show:

We already have some paintings up in our lounge, but we plan on adding more local artists, sculptures, painters, even graphic designers and showcase their work in a relaxed environment. So if you know any local artists make sure to let us know.

We will be adding different events as things progress considering we're a little over a month old now there's still a lot of ideas that are flowing through our heads but we need YOUR help in what you think would be best for our customers.

o2 Easy - Vaping made Easy

Located at the Intersection of Belcher and Ulmerton in Largo, FL

How to Rebuild the Kanger Pro-Tank

Since we got the Kanger Pro-Tank in our store and online I figured I'd share some knowledge with our customers on how they can recycle and reuse their Kanger Pro-Tank and also is the gateway into modding and making your own pieces for your vaping needs.

Incase you don't know which tank is the Kanger Pro-Tank this is what it looks like..

The reason I use this one as the example is it is the easiest to replace the coil and wick in my experiences so it's a good place to start.

Below is a video by GrimmGreen, which I follow on Youtube and this was the same video I used for a step by step tutorial.

Grimm Green's Channel:

http://www.youtube.com/user/GrimmGreen?feature=watch

Recent Tests in Utah Prove Vapor is Safe to the Human Heart

Clearstream Air Study

In December 2011, Aaron Frazier, Director of the Utah Vapers began consulting with FlavourArt in Milan Italy to develop research on the electronic cigarette in ways that had yet to be performed by anyone around the world. It was through this relationship that Clearstream Air was born. The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify the chemicals released on a closed environment from the use of an electronic cigarette.

Study Results

The study has now been completed, peer reviewed and accepted for the 2012 meeting of SRNT in Helsinki. The experiment concludes that within the limits of the observed parameters, has underlined that passive vapor does not produce detectable amounts of toxic and carcinogenic substances in the air of an enclosed space. You can view the study here: http://clearstream.flavourart.it/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/CSA_ItaEng.pdf

Due to the exciting results from Clearstream Air, two additional medical studies have been commissioned and are currently in progress:

• Clearstream Life: A study of electronic cigarette liquid (e-liquid) and it’s affect on live human cells.
• Clearstream Clinical: A clinical trial of electronic cigarettes and their affect on the human body focusing on Blood pressure and heart rate, Lung function (spirometry), Blood oxygenation (O2 saturation), Cardio-respiratory performance (six minute walk test), Nicotine addiction, Anxiety and depression, and absorbed Nicotine (urinary cotinine).

Acute effects on the heart

Dr Konstantinos Farsalinos through the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center in Greece studied the effects of electronic cigarette usage on the human heart. Through his study, the laboratory analyses indicate that it [Electronic Cigarette] is significantly less toxic and our study has shown no significant defects in cardiac function after acute use. Most [other] studies have found no nitrosamines [in vapor], but even in studies where nitrosamines were found, the levels detected were 500-1400 times less than the amount present in one tobacco cigarette. This means that electronic cigarettes must be used daily for 4-12 months to get the amount of nitrosamines present in a single tobacco cigarette.

Details of Dr. Farsalinos’s study can be found here: http://www.escardio.org/about/press/press-releases/esc12-munich/Pages/acute-effects-electronic-cigarettes-heart-damage.aspx

Clinical studies, lab reports and more

The most comprehensive listing of scientific studies on electronic cigarettes and tobacco harm reduction is available at http://casaa.org/Electronic_Cigarettes.html

E-Cigarettes have the potential to drastically reduce the death toll from smoking. Get the message:
E-Cigarettes are the #1 weapon against smoking-related death and disease

Why I Love the Kanger Pro Tank

Over my vaping experiences I have tried a good amount of tanks, atomizers, clearomizers, whatever you want to call them and I have had a few I really liked, but the first one I absolutely wouldn't trade out would have to be the Kanger Pro-Tank 1. Now before I go into detail, there are 2 other models of the Pro-Tank and I have only tried the first, so if you have any suggestions or more information, please feel free to comment and share with the fellow vapors.

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Now if you take a look at the picture there's 3 objects shown, each with it's own importance. On the top is obviously the take which would hold your juice. The tank is advertised to hold 2.5ml but can hold up to 3ml. 

The tank is also made with Pyrex glass and stainless steel on the mouth piece and bottom.

The second part on the left is the adapter to make the Pro-Tank flush with a normal ego battery (you usually get in a starter pack, or out "blister" pack.)

And the third part on the bottom right is where all the magic happens. The atomizer heads are replaceable for the kanger Pro-Tank. It is also 510 threaded (unlike the Pro-Tank Mini.) The coil is going to be on the bottom with short wicks, so depending on your preference this is an upside or a downside. But if you like good flavor mixed with good vape, this is def a good pick.

I vape all day every day, and this tank usually lasts a day or two without refilling. Also, throughout the day the vape hit stays the same until it's pretty much dead. So unlike other tanks, this stays consistent with both vapor amount, and flavor.

Some Tips:

If you don't know what the metal tube is in the middle yet, that's your air tunnel that runs from the mouth piece to the battery so avoid getting any juice in there as you fill the tank.

When you're taking the bottom off to refill your tank, the seal is temporarily broken, meaning liquid could com out of the mouth piece. So as a safety measure, wrap a paper towel around the mouth piece when filling.

If liquid does happen to get in the air tube you will hear a gurgling noise as you vape. To fix this issue without emptying your tank wrap a paper towel around it and blow through the mouth piece.

And of course, we carry this at o2 Easy

Happy Vaping Folks!

Pete@o2Easy

Beginners Guide to Vaping: Are E-Cigs Right For You?

A lot of people who come into our store come in here trying to quit cigarettes or to see what the Electronic Cigarette Community is all about, (what the "hype" is)

I thought I'd give a simple tutorial on what you should start with, how to fill, maintain, and clean your electronic cigarette, and what juice might best suit your preference.

I will also add some video tutorials over time and build up a library of information for you newbie vapors out there.

Step One: Are Electronic Cigarettes Whats Best For You?

            One thing to think about when you're trying to make the switch, is how much money are you handing over to the cigarette companies. I did the math for myself when I made the switch and I spent around $175.15 a month smoking Malboro Smooths at a rate of a pack a day. Within a year that's looking at $2101.80. Now like most people in our nation I'm not made of money so that's a huge hurting on my wallet every year and I was smoking for about 8 years totaling to $16,814.40 in my lifetime. So there's my worth to the tobacco industry safely at a pack a day, (of course there were days where I had 2 packs.)

            But lets say you don't smoke cigarettes and you just want to see what this vapor thing is really all about. I've done my research over the past few weeks and learned that Electronic Cigarettes have existed since the 1960's but hasn't really taken off until about a decade ago. Since then there has been thousands of different brands and customization for your vaping experience. So if you're the type of person that has an occasional cigarette when you're at the bar, or go out to Hookah Lounges with your friends this could also be the right thing for you as well. With the "E-Juice's" you can buy, there are millions of nicotine free flavors for you to try and buy, hence the nickname people haven given them "E-Hookah."

           Okay, so that's cool but whats all this I'm seeing on the news about health issues it may cause and why the government hasn't approved of these things if they can save lives? I have one simple answer, misinterpretation and uneducated accusations, here's my reasoning..

            I'm sure you've seen these at local gas stations or tobacco shops. People get them, usually as a first step to quitting. They're right next to your favorite cigarette blends, so it gives you that psychological factor of hey, these are right here, maybe I should try these out. Which in reality is a wonderful thing to cross your mind for sure, but these are made by the same companies you're trying to stop buying from.

           Alright, but these are safe right? These aren't real cigarettes even though they look like them right?

With the (those who will not be named) E-Cigs you have to buy different "cartridges" to replace for your electronic cigarette. On top of that you will literally have to break it open to really see what's in it. So in other words, you're stuck with their product and flavors until you buy another electronic cigarette.

I've cracked one open trying to "mod" my cheapo, and to my amazement there's a filter inside. I filter soaked in this "juice" they supply. But here's where the problem arises, if this thing is heating up this juice to turn to vapor wouldn't that heat up the filter? You betcha. And these are some of the reasons people keep putting down Electronic Cigarettes.

Lets take a look at a REAL electronic cigarette at it's most basic form.

    Looks like something out of Star Trek, well let me go over each part and how it works so you can pick up the slang and the terms used if you do ever go into a "Vaping" store like O2Easy.

The battery of course, this is the main part people call "mods." This is the most basic eGo battery that comes with most starter kits. The reason being is because each other part you may get down the road is compatible and will fit these batteries.

These are called Atomizers, Clearomizers, or Tanks by slang. Back to what I was saying with the other brands. There are no filters, no combustion, no fire. Here's another picture looking inside.

            Now considering what I was saying with the the other companies you have to buy cartridges with the pre-made flavors they sell at...$12.00 for a 5 pack, and with experience I've had with it that's a cartridge a day. So $12.00 (plus tax) a week. Looking at the website they have 7 flavors to choose from...that's horrible.

           Just here at O2 Easy alone we have over 40 different flavors each with their own nicotine level preferences. A 12ml bottle of juice would last you a week and a half (if you're smoking a pack a day) and we sell them for $8.95. Also remember you can mix flavors and customize it to your liking.

                To sum everything out for our first lesson, there are two main parts to an electronic cigarette to remember (for now) and that's the battery and the tank (or atomizer). We will get into the more advanced terminology in a later lesson, but those two will at least get you on the right page. 

Gas station bought brands are no good, flavor and health reasons make them obsolete; so take that in consideration. Chances are if it looks like a cigarette then it's probably no good for you.

Check out our website o2EasyUSA to get an idea of different parts and flavors.

Happy Vaping Folks!

Pete@o2Easy

Tampa hospital allows use of electronic cigarettes

Hospitals in Tampa Allowing the Use of E-Cigarettes?

Last July, the FDA issued a warning regarding the electric cigarette and it appears the public and medical industry just aren't buying the story at a time when the public distrusts the government more than at any other time in history. On the heels of that announcement, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) in the United Kingdom released a favorable position on E-cigarettes stating; "E-cigarettes, which deliver nicotine without the harmful toxins found in tobacco smoke, are likely to be a safer alternative to smoking. In addition, E-cigarettes reduce secondhand smoke exposure since they do not produce smoke."

Prominent doctors and tobacco researchers, including Dr. Michael Siegel at the Boston University School of Public Health, Dr. Joel Nitzkin of the AAPHP Tobacco Control Task Force, and Dr. Brad Rodu, Endowed Chair, Tobacco Harm Reduction Research University of Louisville continue to publish the scientific benefits of the e-cigarettes that counter the misleading information regarding their safety.

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds that one-fifth of Americans -- about 46 million -- are still smoking. That number actually increased slightly from 2007 to 2008. The report appears in the Nov. 13 edition of the CDC's Morbidity and Morality Weekly Report. Currently it is estimated that 1 in 40 smokers are now using the e-cigarette as an alternative and the trend is growing at a phenomenal speed. One brand of e-cigarette that was offered to the hospital during the review process was from the Texas retail and wholesale e-cigarette distributor No7ecigarettes.com.

The real opposition to E-cigarettes may be due to political fears from the loss of a portion of billions of dollars in tax revenue that tobacco cigarettes generate which can't be justified against the E-cigarette. Tobacco cigarettes are heavily taxed under the guise of reimbursing the medical expense of treating smokers. As little as 3% of the money is actually used for that purpose while the rest is spent on projects considered to be more vital. Since E-cigarettes have not been proven to cause the type of health issues created by tobacco, they can only be taxed like any other consumer product.

SOURCE SS Choice, LLC.

Original Article HERE

More info on the Risk of Electronic Cigarettes

New study confirms that chemicals in electronic cigarettes pose minimal health risk...

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 8, 2013/PRNewwire-USNewswire -- E-cigarette users can breathe a little easier today.  A study just released by Professor Igor Burstyn, Drexel University School of Public Health, confirms that chemicals in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) pose no health concern for users or bystanders.  This is the first definitive study of e-cigarette chemistry and finds that there are no health concerns based on generally accepted exposure limits.  

E-cigarettes are devices that heat a nicotine solution to create an aerosol (called “vapor”) that the user inhales, similar to smoking a cigarette.  They are used as a low-risk substitute for smoking by millions of former smokers, and their increasing popularity seems to account for the current downward trend in smoking in the U.S. and some other countries.  While experts agree that the risks posed by e-cigarettes are significantly less than those posed by smoking, there had been some debate about how much lower the risk was.  

By reviewing over 9,000 observations about the chemistry of the vapor and the liquid in e-cigarettes, Dr. Burstyn was able to determine that the levels of contaminants e-cigarette users are exposed to are insignificant, far below levels that would pose any health risk.  Additionally, there is no health risk to bystanders.  Proposals to ban e-cigarettes in places where smoking is banned have been based on concern there is a potential risk to bystanders, but the study shows there is no concern.

This was the first study funded by the by The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives (CASAA) Research Fund.  CASAA, the leading consumer advocacy group promoting the availability and use of low-risk alternatives to smoking, is an all-volunteer, donation-funded organization.  CASAA President Elaine Keller said of the study, “Over the years, there have been a lot of small studies of e-cigarette liquid and vapor, but those studies were either ignored or misinterpreted.  Those that showed even the slightest contamination were used for propaganda by those who object to e-cigarettes because they look like smoking. We realized that an expert review was needed to give an unbiased explanation of the available scientific evidence for our membership and policy makers.  We reached out to our membership and they enthusiastically donated to make it possible.”

CASAA Scientific Director, Carl V. Phillips, summarized the importance of the study, saying “It has always been clear that e-cigarettes were much lower risk than smoking, but there was uncertainty about whether continuing to inhale a mix of chemicals posed a measurable risk. Even those of us who have long encouraged smokers to switch are a bit surprised that even the worst-case-scenario risks are so low. This study assures us that e-cigarettes are as low risk as other smoke-free tobacco and nicotine products, like smokeless tobacco and NRT.  All of these products are about 99% less harmful than smoking, and so smokers who switch to them gain basically the same health benefits as if they quit tobacco and nicotine entirely.”  

Dr. Phillips added that “there has been a call for ‘regulatory science’ by the FDA.  This is exactly the type of science that is needed to make good regulation and informed individual decisions: it summarizes all of the available knowledge and puts the numbers in a useful perspective.”

The study did caution that e-cigarette users are inhaling substantial quantities of the main chemicals in e-cigarette liquid (propylene glycol and glycerin).  While these chemicals are not considered dangerous and the levels are far below occupational exposure limits, Dr. Burstyn did suggest ongoing monitoring to confirm that there is no risk.  The chemical contaminants are of even less concern.  While there have been many claims that formaldehyde, acrolein, nitrosamines, metals, and ethylene glycol found in e-cigarette vapor poses a health hazard, the study concluded that all of these have been found only at trivial levels that pose no health concern.

The study did not address the effects of nicotine because e-cigarette users are consuming it intentionally.  Nicotine, when it does not involve smoking, is very low risk and has not been clearly shown to cause any disease. However, like caffeine and other common indulgences, it may cause some tiny risk of heart attack and stroke, and so e-cigarettes, along with other tobacco and nicotine products, are probably not risk-free.  If there is any risk from nicotine, however, it is so low that it is similar to everyday hazards like drinking coffee or eating dessert, and is far less than the risk from smoking.

The study is available at http://publichealth.drexel.edu/SiteData/docs/ms08/f90349264250e603/ms08.pdf

The FDA stating Propylene Glycol is Harmless?

After about 2 hours of research we have found an official document from the FDA commenting on the tests they've done on Propylene Glycol and the results were a given to us, but to the media they seem to keep saying the FDA "Just doesn't know what the outcome is of ingesting propylene glycol"

Grab a seat and check this one out:

(taken from The Antimicrobial Division Toxicology Endpoint Selection Committee, [ADTC] EPA-HQ-OPP-2006-0831)

General Toxicity Observations: 

Upon reviewing the available toxicity information, the Agency has concluded that there are no endpoints of concern for oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure to propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol. This conclusion is based on results of toxicity testing of propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol in which dose levels near or above testing limits (as established in the OPPTS 870 series harmonized test guidelines) were employed in experimental animal studies and no significant toxicity observed.

Carcinogen Classification: 

A review of the available data has shown that propylene glycol and dipropylene glycol to be negative for carcinogenicity in studies conducted in testing up to limit doses established by the Agency; therefore no further carcinogenic analysis is required. 

And that's it folks. So all that mess on the news stays on the news. We have already done tests over about a 10 year span and scientists are saying, according to the experiments...there is nothing at all wrong with Propylene Glycol. But at the end of the day, it's really up to you.

-O2 Easy

The document stating these things can be found HERE

  

What is Propylene Glycol?

Shared from V2cigs.com

What is Propylene Glycol?

Date posted: January 23, 2012

What is propylene glycol? We are asked this question repeatedly and there is a lot of misinformation about propylene glycol and e-cigarette ingredients circulating in the media. To help answer this question, we have gathered together this list of information from reputable sources in one place.

What is propylene glycol?

-Propylene glycol is a clear, colorless, slightly syrupy liquid at room temperature. It may exist in air in the vapor form, although propylene glycol must be heated or briskly shaken to produce a vapor

-Propylene glycol is practically odorless and tasteless

-Propylene glycol is a chemical made by reaction of propylene oxide with water

-Propylene glycol has had an unsurpassed reputation for safe use in a wide range of consumer products, including food products, animal feed, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, as well as industrial applications

-It’s used as a stabilizer (to keep things held together, and keep them from evaporating), and to keep foods moist. It’s used in many of the foods that we eat, and the FDA deems it safe for human consumption

-Industrial grade propylene glycol is an ingredient used to make non-toxic antifreeze and deicing solutions for cars, airplanes, and boats; to make polyester compounds; and as solvent in the paint and plastics industries.

The point above needs a special note, since PG has been vilified in the media for being an ingredient in antifreeze. These reports fail to mention that they are referring to non-toxicantifreeze, giving consumers a false impression. This is a scare tactic used by the media, those who are misinformed and organizations against e-cigarettes. More information is below in the FAQ.

Propylene Glycol (PG) in e-cigarette cartridges:

-The content of the V2 Cigs liquid solution found in cartridges includes three primary ingredients: nicotine (except in Zero nicotine carts), flavorings, water and pharmaceutical-grade propylene glycol. You can download and view  our ingredient list right on our website:http://www.v2cigs.com/pages/Downloads.html

-Propylene glycol is added to the V2 liquid solution as a vaporizable base to dilute pure liquefied nicotine

-Because of its water-retaining properties, propylene glycol is the compound of choice for delivering atomized medications. It has been used in asthma inhalers and nebulizers since the 1950’s

-In e-cigarettes, propylene glycol allows atomization to take place at  substantially lower temperatures than required for a tobacco cigarette and will also help carry / deliver the nicotine when the vapor is inhaled

-While the contents of the liquid solution found in cartridges may vary depending upon brands, the major ingredients usually remain the same.

Features of propylene glycol:

-Serves as a solvent

-Connects and stabilizes insoluble fluids (emulsifier)

-Helps to bind and transport other substances (excipient)

-Holds and dissolves active ingredients equally in a medium

-Attracts/holds water/moisture (hygroscopic)

-Reduces the freezing point

-Increases the boiling point

-Offers outstanding stability with high flash and boiling points

By emulsifying (mixing) active ingredients, which otherwise would not mix with one another, the propylene glycol creates a stable homogeneous fluid that will allow the intended final product, be it a face cream or shampoo, for example, to do its job.

Safety of propylene glycol:

-It has been used safely for more than 50 years, including in health-sensitive products such as food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, where the molecule mainly serves as non-active ingredient or carrier of other substances

-Studies have proven that propylene glycol has a very low degree of toxicity

-In the body, propylene glycol is rapidly converted into lactic acid, in a similar manner to what happens with sugar (energy) in the muscles during sports

PHARMACEUTICAL GRADE PROPYLENE GLYCOL

Applications of propylene glycol:

-To carry flavors in food and drinks

-To make face creams, body lotions, deodorant-sticks, lipsticks and many other cosmetic articles soft, moist and consistent

-To stabilize foams in cosmetic and healthcare products

-To help pet and livestock feed retain its moisture and taste

-To act as a carrier of active ingredients in vaccines, cough relief syrups or gel capsules to help deliver this substances within the body for treatment and prevention of diseases

Applications of propylene glycol in cosmetics and toiletries include products in:

-Personal care: bath and shower soaps, gels, face cleansers, shaving foams, after shave, antiperspirant deodorants, roll-ons, sticks, lipsticks, fragrances, perfumes

-Skin care: hand, body and facial moisturizers, sunscreen products

-Hair care: shampoos, conditioners, styling gels

-Oral care: mouthwashes, toothpaste

-Baby care: wipes, antiseptics

Propylene glycol has been approved for use as a food additive. In direct food contact it is mainly used as:

-Solvent and carrier of flavor or color in the food and beverage manufacturing processes, to make drinks, cookies, cakes, candy

-Thickener, clarifier and stabilizer in food and beverage such as beer, salad dressings or baking products

Applications of propylene glycol as pet and cattle feed additive* include its use as a(n):

-Humectant to provide moisture and taste. ” A humectant is a substance with the ability to attract and hold water in a formulation ”

-Solvent, stabilizer and preservative to keep the feed suitable for longer use

-Additive for increased energy provision

• * Not approved for use in cat food

Some Pharmaceutical applications include:

-Therapeutic drugs and medicines, such as vaccines or cough syrup

-Local anesthetics

-Antiseptics

-Vitamins and hormones

INDUSTRIAL GRADE PROPYLENE GLYCOL

Industrial propylene glycol can be used:

-As aircraft deicer, enabling safe global public transport

-In non-toxic antifreeze

-In paints and coatings, providing sustainable weather and wear protection

-In liquid detergents, supporting hygienic conditions

-As a basic building block in the production of other formable plastics such as unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) used  in furniture, heavy-impact surfaces (floors, kitchen, bathroom) or windmill blades

Propylene glycol and Antifreeze:

-Antifreeze has traditionally been manufactured with ethylene glycol. This product is highly toxic and poisonous

-On the other hand, propylene glycol is used in certain types antifreeze labeled as “non-toxic antifreeze”. Because propylene glycol is considerably less toxic than it ethylene glycol counterpart, it is now used in antifreeze where ethylene glycol would be inappropriate, such as in food-processing systems or in water pipes in homes when incidental ingestion may be possible

FAQ

Has the federal government made recommendations to protect the human health?

The Food and Drug Administration has classified propylene glycol as GRAS,  “generally recognized as safe,” which means that it is acceptable for use in flavorings, drugs, and cosmetics, and as a direct food additive.

Which products contain propylene glycol?

Propylene glycol is used in a large variety of every day convenience and care products, such as in cosmetics and toiletries, food, animal feed, and pharmaceuticals, as well as in a number of industrial applications.

How can I come in contact with propylene glycol?

Most people will come in contact with propylene glycol during their normal everyday life, when using personal care articles like creams, sprays, lotions, when enjoying soft drinks, sweets and other foods, or when taking medication or being vaccinated.

What happens with propylene glycol in the body?

In the body, under conditions of normal low exposure, propylene glycol is quickly metabolized and eliminated. Its metabolic pathway is comparable to that of sugar: propylene glycol is rapidly converted into lactic acid, just like what happens with sugar (energy) while exercising. The lactic acid formed by propylene glycol ingestion is then discarded by the body via the urine.

Is there a danger associated with ingestion in large quantities?

Propylene glycol is used professionally by manufacturers of consumer and industrial products, but it is not available to consumers as a  pure substance. Under normal circumstances, it is impossible to ingest propylene glycol in large amounts, and exposure to propylene glycol via consumer products is extremely low. In addition, studies have shown that propylene glycol has a very low degree of toxicity. In fact, from a toxicological point of view, alcohol is actually more toxic than propylene glycol.

Can propylene glycol have negative health effects if consumed over long periods in time in small amounts?

Propylene glycol has been used safely for more than 50 years in a large variety of applications. Studies have shown that propylene glycol has a very low degree of toxicity. No negative health effects from exposure to small amounts of propylene glycol have ever been observed. The FDA has approved the use of propylene glycol in sensitive applications such as in pharmaceuticals, foods and cosmetics, and thus confirmed its safety.

Can I be sure that industrial propylene glycol will not be used for pharmaceutical applications?

The quality and purity of both industrial propylene glycol and pharmaceutical grade propylene glycol is very high. For propylene glycol intended for use in pharmaceutical applications, utmost care is placed on fulfilling specific strict rules for the production, transport and hygiene of the product to be used in sensitive applications like in food or cosmetics.

How can a deicer be used in food or in cosmetics?

Deicer (for de-icing) is not used in food or cosmetics. The different “natural” functionalities of propylene glycol make it a substance which can achieve various results. In the deicer, it is the ability to reduce the freezing point, in cosmetics the ability to dissolve, emulsify, or carry active ingredients in substances. Industrial propylene glycol is used is used for de-icing while pharmaceutical grade propylene glycol is used in cosmetics. Propylene glycol really becomes active when mixed with other ingredients and depending on what those ingredients are, different results will be achieved. Hence, deicer and cosmetics both contain propylene glycol but are mixed with different ingredients which will give way to different results.

How pure is pharmaceutical propylene glycol?

Pharmaceutical grade propylene glycol has a very high purity of more than 99.5% – which is extremely high for a chemical. However, the most important requirement to keep the degree of purity of pharmaceutical grade propylene glycol is to thoroughly respect the hygiene regulations and manufacturing standards of production, transport and further processing of the product.

Is propylene glycol safe for human health? Can it give me an allergic reaction?

It may be possible to develop an allergic reaction to propylene glycol and some individuals allergic to the product may exhibit different symptoms. However, pharmaceutical grade propylene glycol has been safely used for decades in a large variety of consumer products, including more than 4000 cosmetics and toiletry products. Over this long period of time and a large variety of products, there has been no evidence of significant adverse effects.

How likely is propylene glycol to cause cancer?

Propylene glycol does not cause cancer. The US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have not classified propylene glycol for carcinogenicity. Animal studies have not shown this chemical to be carcinogen.

Sources:

• http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id=1122&tid=240
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_cigarette
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propylene_glycol
• http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=1121&tid=240
• http://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/3595.pdf
• http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient.php?ingred06=705315
• http://www.foodgradepropyleneglycol.com/
• http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=12&po=0
• http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/ohat/egpg/propylene/PG_Monograph.pdf
• http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxsubstance.asp?toxid=240
• http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp.asp?id=1122&tid=2400
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antifreeze