Clearing the Smoke: How Bongs Filter Out Harmful Compounds

Clearing the Smoke: How Bongs Filter Out Harmful Compounds

Bongs: A Safer Way to Smoke Cannabis? 

Smoking cannabis is a popular way to consume the plant, but it comes with several health risks, including exposure to harmful compounds like PAHs. PAHs are produced when cannabis is smoked and can cause respiratory problems and even cancer. However, one method of smoking cannabis, using a bong, may offer a solution to this problem.

What Are PAHs?

PAHs are a class of organic compounds that are produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing materials. They are found in a variety of sources, including tobacco smoke, engine exhaust, and charred food as well as combusted cannabis. PAHs are known to be toxic and carcinogenic, meaning they can cause cancer in humans.

How Are PAHs Produced by Cannabis?

PAHs are produced by the incomplete combustion of cannabis, particularly when it is smoked. When cannabis is burned, it releases a variety of harmful chemicals, including PAHs. The levels of PAHs produced by cannabis are similar to those produced by tobacco smoke. The heat generated during the combustion process breaks down the cannabis plant material, producing a number of different compounds, including PAHs.

What Can Consumers Do?

Consumers can take several steps to reduce their exposure to PAHs produced by cannabis. One option is to choose alternative consumption methods, such as edibles, tinctures. These methods do not involve the combustion of cannabis, and therefore do not produce PAHs. 

Another option is to use smoking devices that are designed to reduce PAH production, such as water pipes or "bongs." These devices can help to filter out harmful compounds, including PAHs, before they reach the lungs.

How Bongs Work

When cannabis smoke is filtered through percolation in water, the smoke is cooled and passes through the water, which acts as a filter. As the smoke is filtered through the water, some of the particulate matter, such as ash and tar, is removed from the smoke, reducing the amount of these harmful compounds that reach the lungs. Additionally, the water can absorb some of the water-soluble compounds, such as PAHs, which are present in the smoke.

The process by which the water absorbs the PAHs is called adsorption, which is the adhesion of a thin layer of molecules to the surfaces of materials. In the case of bongs, the water in the chamber absorbs the PAHs in the smoke, effectively trapping them and preventing them from reaching the lungs. This means that less harmful smoke reaches the lungs, reducing the risk of respiratory problems and other health issues. 

It's worth noting that while bongs can help to reduce the amount of harmful compounds in cannabis smoke, they do not completely eliminate them. Some of the harmful compounds, such as carbon monoxide and benzene, are not water-soluble and therefore cannot be filtered out by the water.

Cleaning Your Bong

While bongs can help to reduce the risk of exposure to harmful compounds like PAHs, it is important to keep your bong clean to maintain these filtration benefits. Over time, resin and other compounds can build up in the water and the pipes, reducing the effectiveness of the filtration system. This can lead to a higher level of exposure to harmful compounds, including PAHs.

To maintain the filtration benefits of your bong, it is recommended that you clean it regularly. The frequency of cleaning will depend on how often you use the bong and how much cannabis you smoke. Generally, it is recommended that you clean your bong after every use, or at least once a week, to maintain its effectiveness. Cleaning your bong involves removing any buildup of resin or other compounds and replacing the water in the chamber.

In conclusion, bongs can be a safer way to smoke cannabis, as they help to filter out harmful compounds like PAHs. However, it is important to keep your bong clean to maintain these filtration benefits. By cleaning your bong regularly, you can reduce the risk of exposure to harmful compounds and protect your respiratory health.

 

 

Sources:

  1. "Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) - What They Are, Why They Are Harmful, and What We Can Do About Them." American Lung Association, 2022. https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons
  2. "Marijuana and Lung Health." American Lung Association, 2022. https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/marijuana-and-lung-health
  3. "How to Clean a Bong." Leafly, 2022. https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/how-to-clean-a-bong
  4. "Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Fact Sheet." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/pah/
  5. "The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research." The National Academies Press, 2017.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK423845/
  6. "A Review of the Literature on the Health Effects of Smoking Cannabis." Public Health Agency of Canada, 2015. https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/publications/drugs-health-products/review-literature-health-effects-smoking-cannabis/review-literature-health-effects-smoking-cannabis.pdf
  7. "The Bong: A New Way to Smoke." The Fix, 2018. https://www.thefix.com/bong-new-way-smoke
  8. "Effect of Water Filtration on Exposure to Carbon Monoxide and Particulate Matter in Waterpipe Tobacco Smokers." Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 2014. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4245153/
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