The truth about vape mouthpieces has been revealed and it’ll leave you feeling sick.
Now you'd think, with yours being the only mouth that touches a vape, there would be little room for anything nasty to creep onto it.
But researchers reckon something else may be touching the plastic and it’s far too icky to stomach.
Scientists from the University of Florida revealed that vape mouthpieces contain fungi - the dangerous kind.
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The researchers found that while most reusable vapes don’t seem to contain bacteria, disgustingly, around half of the disposable vapes tested were found to be 'abundantly colonised' by fungi.
Of those containing fungi, over 80 percent could cause pathogens which can cause lung diseases and really impact people’s overall health.
One of the larger strains of fungus was found called Cystobasidium minutum.
This is a strain which can even cause blood infections in people with weakened immune systems, wreaking havoc on their systems.
How did the fungi get on the vape?
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Disposable vapes work by containing a sponge soaked in e-liquid which is attached to a mechanism which draws it out as vapor.
When putting the fungi on petri dishes to see what bloomed, it found that there were up to 35 different types of fungi growing on vape mouthpieces, with most of the strains capable of causing ill health.
When compared to cultures from participants' mouths, it showed the fungi was coming from elsewhere, such as our hands, the air, or dirt.
Others may have previously been in the vape juice at the time of purchase - though scientists didn't prove this.
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And because vapes are frequently warmed and enclosed to keep the vape juice from escaping the tanks, it’s a great place for fungi to thrive.
Plus most of the study participants didn't clean their vapes at all, which doesn't help.
Co-author Dr Jason Smith, of the Emerging Pathogens Institute, told New Scientist: “The residues left behind inside the vape device may provide a food source for moulds to grow.”
Did any of the study participants get sick after vaping?
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The researchers went on to say in the pre-print of the paper that 'fungal contamination of e-cigarette devices' contributes to the development of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which causes breathing difficulties, a long-term cough and more.
A third of those involved in the study admitted to having respiratory symptoms.
Is vaping really better than smoking at this point?
New research indicated that vapes, even those without nicotine in them, can cause serious health issues and defects to unborn children if the mother smokes them.
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The lead author, James Cray, professor of anatomy in The Ohio State University College of Medicine, said: “The majority of users are young adults and teenagers, so we are talking about people who are in peak reproductive years.
“And with development of the head happening very early in fetal development, people could be using these products and not even realize that they are pregnant, which is of great concern.
“This is a small study that speaks to the possibility that nicotine-free vaping is not safe. And it’s a sign that we probably should study the nicotine-free products as much as we study the nicotine-laden products.”
Maybe something to think about.
Britt Jones