Vaping has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. However, there are still a lot of unknowns about vaping, including whether or not the vapor leaves residue on indoor surfaces. In this article, we’ll examine what research shows about whether vape smoke stays on surfaces.
What is vaping?
Vaping refers to the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or electronic nicotine delivery systems. These devices heat a liquid, commonly called e-liquid or vape juice, into an aerosol that the user inhales. The e-liquids usually contain nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavorings.
When the e-liquid is heated, it creates an aerosol made up of fine particles that are suspended in air. This is commonly referred to as vape smoke or vapor. However, unlike cigarette smoke, vape aerosols don’t contain tar or carbon monoxide.
Does vape smoke leave a residue?
There is some evidence that vape aerosols can deposit residues on surfaces:
- A 2020 study analyzed the components of e-cigarette aerosol residues left on glass surfaces in a controlled setting. They found deposits contained particulate matter, metals, and organic compounds.
- Another 2020 study looked at indoor surfaces in vape shops and identified nicotine and other compounds on over three-quarters of the surfaces swabbed.
- Research in 2021 found that exhaled vape aerosols can deposit nicotine and other organic substances on nearby surfaces.
However, there are some caveats to these findings:
- Many studies evaluate residues deposited directly from vaping devices in experimental settings, which may differ from real-world secondhand vapor exposure.
- There is considerable variation in the ingredients and nicotine concentrations of different e-liquids, which affects residue deposition.
- Ventilation and air currents can influence how much residue accumulates on surfaces.
What residues are left behind?
Studies have identified a range of substances left behind on surfaces exposed to vape smoke, including:
| Residue | Description |
|---|---|
| Nicotine | The addictive stimulant in tobacco products and most e-liquids. |
| Particulate matter | Microscopic particles from the vape aerosol. |
| Metals | Traces of metals like lead, chromium, and nickel from vape device components. |
| Flavorings | Chemicals added for flavor that can deposit on surfaces. |
| Propylene glycol | A common e-liquid base that is left behind in residues. |
| Vegetable glycerin | Another typical e-liquid base component found in residues. |
The amount and makeup of residues can vary considerably based on the specific device, e-liquid composition, and vaping conditions.
How long do the residues persist?
There is limited research on how long vape residues persist for on different types of indoor surfaces.
- One study found nicotine from vape aerosols took over 60 minutes to dissipate from stainless steel surfaces.
- Glass surfaces exposed to vape aerosols in an experimental setting showed gradually declining residue levels over a period of 18 hours.
- However, the persistence of residues in real-world environments with ventilation may be much shorter.
Some factors that can influence how long vape smoke residues last on surfaces include:
- Porosity of materials – Residues may soak into porous surfaces like fabrics and last longer.
- Surface composition – Nonporous surfaces like glass do not absorb deposits as much.
- Ventilation – Better airflow can clear away residues more quickly.
- Cleaning – Wiping and cleaning surfaces helps remove deposited residues.
- Ongoing vaping – Regular vaping leads to greater residue buildup over time.
Do the residues present a health risk?
There is no definitive evidence that vape smoke residues pose significant health risks. However, potential concerns include:
- Nicotine residues could be picked up on the skin and accidentally ingested, especially by children.
- Particulate matter residues may trigger asthma and allergy symptoms in sensitive individuals.
- Flavoring residues could cause eye, nose, and throat irritation for some people.
Overall, the risk is likely low for most healthy adults exposed to residues from moderate social vaping in well-ventilated indoor spaces. But risks may be greater for vape shop employees exposed to high residue levels.
Does vape smoke stain surfaces?
There is minimal research looking specifically at whether vape smoke causes visible staining on indoor surfaces over time. However, some general observations can be made:
- Vape aerosols contain particulate matter that could produce discoloration on surfaces with repeated exposure.
- Nicotine residues may yellow with prolonged exposure to air, light, and heat.
- Oily condensates in vape smoke could potentially leave behind stains, like traditional cigarette smoke.
- Vape smoke is less likely than cigarette smoke to cause severe yellowing or browning due to the lack of tar.
Overall, the potential for vape smoke to visibly stain surfaces appears much lower compared to cigarette smoke. But chronic heavy vaping may eventually cause subtle discoloration on some surfaces.
Cleaning vape residues
To remove any residues or prevent staining, frequently exposed surfaces should be wiped down regularly. Warm water, mild soap, and microfiber cloths are recommended for cleaning vape deposits.
For more stubborn deposits, isopropyl alcohol can be effective. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners, abrasive scrubbers, or very hot water that could damage surfaces.
Upholstered fabrics and drapes may require steam cleaning to thoroughly eliminate vape residues and prevent lasting odors.
Key points
- Studies show vape aerosols can leave behind trace levels of nicotine, metals, particulate matter, and flavorings on indoor surfaces.
- It’s unclear exactly how long vape residues persist for before dissipating, but ventilation helps reduce buildup.
- Health risks from vape smoke residues are likely minor for most people, but sensitivities vary.
- Vape smoke appears far less likely to cause severe yellowing or staining compared to cigarette smoke.
- Regular gentle cleaning helps remove any vape smoke residues before they accumulate.