So the CDC published this report on Evaluation of Chemical Exposures at a Vape Shop.
In part it says, beginning on page #13 (underlines mine): "None of the airborne concentrations of the specific flavoring chemicals we measured were above applicable OELs although we detected low levels of two flavoring chemicals, diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, in the personal and area air samples. NIOSH has an action level for diacetyl of 2.6 ppb [NIOSH 2016] but our sampling method (evacuated canisters) does not measure exposures at this level. Therefore, some of the personal air sampling results for diacetyl could have been above the NIOSH action level. When diacetyl exposures are above the action level, NIOSH recommends that employers develop a medical surveillance program and implement engineering and work practice controls to keep exposures below the REL [NIOSH 2016].
Formaldehyde is a breakdown product [see Note #1] of propylene glycol, which is present in the e-liquids used in e-cigarettes. Personal air sampling results for formaldehyde were well below the OSHA PEL and OSHA action level. They were also below the NIOSH REL, which is much lower than the OSHA PEL. Area sampling results showed that background formaldehyde concentrations were similar to the personal sampling results. Low concentrations of formaldehyde exist in many indoor environments because of off gassing from furnishings, clothing, and other materials.
In addition to the specific flavoring chemicals we looked for in the air samples (diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, 2,3-hexanedione, acetoin, and acetaldehyde), we also identified other flavoring chemicals and VOCs in the air of the vape shop. Results from the area air samples we collected using thermal desorption tubes showed very low concentrations of 102 chemicals. These included chemicals found in cleaning products used in the shop (limonene, isopropanol), chemicals that are common ingredients in personal care products (decamethylcyclopentasiloxane), and other chemicals that could be classified as flavoring chemicals. Background concentrations of airborne nicotine, propylene glycol, and VOCs in the air of the shop were also very low.
Over the 2 days of our evaluation, we observed that very few customers vaped inside the shop. In contrast, we found that employees vaped throughout the day. Therefore, most of an employee’s exposure to vaping-related chemicals inside this vape shop was due to direct inhalation of vaping-related chemicals from their personal e-cigarette, as well as secondhand emissions from coworkers’ e-cigarettes. Our air sampling only measured vaping chemicals present in the air from the emissions of e-cigarettes and exhaled breath. ..."
Note #1: Google "propylene glycol breakdown products" and various variations. You don't see much about formaldehyde (see this Dow publication as an example). It probably happens but its unclear from reading through a number of similar articles and publications how or when.
In general from reading this it would seem that anything dangerous in the vape shop is there for non-vaping reasons, e.g., outgassing of furniture, cleaning products, etc.
I would say a kitchen is far, far more "dangerous" than a vape shop (see Diacetyl - What's the Real, Objective Danger?) as far as the airborne chemicals they are looking for...
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| From the report... |
In part it says, beginning on page #13 (underlines mine): "None of the airborne concentrations of the specific flavoring chemicals we measured were above applicable OELs although we detected low levels of two flavoring chemicals, diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, in the personal and area air samples. NIOSH has an action level for diacetyl of 2.6 ppb [NIOSH 2016] but our sampling method (evacuated canisters) does not measure exposures at this level. Therefore, some of the personal air sampling results for diacetyl could have been above the NIOSH action level. When diacetyl exposures are above the action level, NIOSH recommends that employers develop a medical surveillance program and implement engineering and work practice controls to keep exposures below the REL [NIOSH 2016].
Formaldehyde is a breakdown product [see Note #1] of propylene glycol, which is present in the e-liquids used in e-cigarettes. Personal air sampling results for formaldehyde were well below the OSHA PEL and OSHA action level. They were also below the NIOSH REL, which is much lower than the OSHA PEL. Area sampling results showed that background formaldehyde concentrations were similar to the personal sampling results. Low concentrations of formaldehyde exist in many indoor environments because of off gassing from furnishings, clothing, and other materials.
In addition to the specific flavoring chemicals we looked for in the air samples (diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, 2,3-hexanedione, acetoin, and acetaldehyde), we also identified other flavoring chemicals and VOCs in the air of the vape shop. Results from the area air samples we collected using thermal desorption tubes showed very low concentrations of 102 chemicals. These included chemicals found in cleaning products used in the shop (limonene, isopropanol), chemicals that are common ingredients in personal care products (decamethylcyclopentasiloxane), and other chemicals that could be classified as flavoring chemicals. Background concentrations of airborne nicotine, propylene glycol, and VOCs in the air of the shop were also very low.
Over the 2 days of our evaluation, we observed that very few customers vaped inside the shop. In contrast, we found that employees vaped throughout the day. Therefore, most of an employee’s exposure to vaping-related chemicals inside this vape shop was due to direct inhalation of vaping-related chemicals from their personal e-cigarette, as well as secondhand emissions from coworkers’ e-cigarettes. Our air sampling only measured vaping chemicals present in the air from the emissions of e-cigarettes and exhaled breath. ..."
Note #1: Google "propylene glycol breakdown products" and various variations. You don't see much about formaldehyde (see this Dow publication as an example). It probably happens but its unclear from reading through a number of similar articles and publications how or when.
In general from reading this it would seem that anything dangerous in the vape shop is there for non-vaping reasons, e.g., outgassing of furniture, cleaning products, etc.
I would say a kitchen is far, far more "dangerous" than a vape shop (see Diacetyl - What's the Real, Objective Danger?) as far as the airborne chemicals they are looking for...
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