If you are new to the idea of vaping or considering becoming a digital cig user, you may be unfamiliar with the term “propylene glycol” (better known as PG to vapers). PG is one of four ingredients in digital cigarette e-juice, along with water, flavorings and nicotine. This ingredient plays an important part of intensifying your tasty vaping experience and is responsible for what we call the throat hit.
However, PG is not exclusively used in digital cigs. In fact, you may be surprised to learn just how many other common products contain some form of PG.
As Natural News states: “Propylene Glycol is a form of mineral oil, an alcohol produced by fermentation of yeast and carbohydrates. This gives it the designation of carbohydrate when used in foods.”
PG comes in a variety of strengths (or “grades”), which is how so many different types of products can use it. For instance, there is an industrial-grade PG that you can find in some engine coolants, while lesser grade PG can be found in everything from your favorite snack to your digital cig.
Keep reading for several different ways PG is used in addition to e-juice…
Antifreeze and Solvents
Industrial-grade PG can be found in antifreeze, paints, enamel, varnishes, airplane de-icers, polyurethane cushions and is often used as a solvent. PG was added to anti-freeze to replace ethylene glycol years ago when people realized dogs were being poisoned from licking up puddles of anti-freeze that contained the ethylene glycol.
Vaping critics especially like to point out this usage of PG, regardless of the fact that these solvents use a much stronger grade than what is used in digital cigs and other commercial applications.
Drug and Cosmetic Products
There is a pharmaceutical and cosmetic form of PG that is found in various oral, topical and injectable drug products. PG can be found in a number of these common products, including toothpaste, perfumes and colognes, cosmetics, deodorant sticks and hand sanitizers. These products contain a much less concentrated form of PG than what is used for industrial solvents and thus is considered a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) product by the FDA for use by humans and most animals.
Food and Beverages
That’s right, you can also find a fine grade of PG in a variety of foods and drinks, such as alcoholic beverages, salad dressings, food dyes, cake mixes and sodas.
As you can see, digital cigarettes are not the only place you can find PG. Propylene glycol is in a variety of products we use and consume on daily basis (and yet you don’t hear people complain that salad dressing is toxic!).
Of course, if you choose to vape with VaporFi, you get to make your own determination as to whether you want to use PG or the alternative Vegetable Glycerin (or VG). We are all about giving fellow vapers lots of options and letting you customize your very own vaping experience.
Browse our learning center or blog to learn more about the benefits of vaping, or shop our online store to find an advanced digital cigarette that matches your style best!
Audrey Durand is the Senior Brand Manager for VaporFi Online Division for the US and Australian Markets. She is an early adopter of e-cigarettes and vaporizers and uses her market expertise to continue developing the marketing programs of the brand, Audrey looks forward to the dynamic operations and growth opportunity with VaporFi. She is also the founder of BlogIntoLife, a platform that helps beginner bloggers start a professional blog and grow their business in the CBD market and in other verticals.
