While the world is still concerned about the safety of e-cigarettes, it is evident that we need to put more emphasis on scientific research in this matter. Interestingly, the discovery of studies made before the birth of the electronic cigarette which give us clues as to the impact of vaping on the human body. The perfect example is this 1942 study conducted by the Dr. Oswald Hope Robertson from Billings University in Chicago (USA). Dr. Robertson studied the impact of inhaling propylene glycol (PG) on laboratory mice.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL: TESTS ON LABORATORY MOUSE!
If propylene glycol is one of the main ingredients in e-liquid, Dr Robertson was testing its effects by inhalation even before it was used in e-cigarettes. He suspected that this powerful ingredient could be useful for treating respiratory diseases, the flu or even pneumonia. In order to test his theory, he placed groups of mice in two different boxes. In the first box, he sprayed propylene glycol into the air along with the flu virus. In the second box, he sprayed the virus alone. Surprisingly, all of the mice that were in the first dish containing the propylene glycol survived while those in the second dish containing only the virus died.
DR ROBERTSON: "PROPYLENE GLYCOL, A POWERFUL GERMICIDE"
After this laboratory test, Dr. Robertson concluded that: " Propylene glycol itself was a potent germicide. That a dose of propylene glycol sprayed for 2.000.000 doses of air could in a few seconds kill a large concentration of pneumococci, streptococci and many other bacteria"
So what is this powerful substance known as propylene glycol ?
It is essentially a synthetic liquid that absorbs water. Today we use propylene glycol (PG) in many cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical products. It is also used in fog machines and is even used to generate smoke in the training of firefighters. Propylene Glycol is classified as a food and pharmaceutical additive, it is generally recognized as "being safe". Propylene glycol is clear, colorless, tasteless and odorless.
PROPYLENE GLYCOL: A BENEFICIAL PRODUCT FOR YOUR HEALTH AND FOR THE VAPOR?
Obviously, Dr. Robertson's studies are not all recent (and it is the case to say it) but it is interesting to realize that not only studies on these products exist but that they already exist for a very long time. We know that an e-liquid very often contains propylene glycol, when it heats up, it turns into a vapor which is inhaled. In the return on the study of Dr. Robertson made in 1942, we note that propylene glycol could offer advantages apart from smoking cessation. It even appears that this "food additive" could help us stay healthy and protect ourselves against the spread of the flu virus.system. (Obviously, this study should be taken with a grain of salt!)
