How Can Vape Cartridge Quality Affect Your Health
In the rapidly evolving world of vaping, convenience and modernity often take center stage, with little thought given to the underlying components of your vape cartridge. As consumers, we often rely on brands to provide us with safe, quality products. However, a recent article by Analytical Cannabis [Article] has highlighted the potential risks associated with the use of low-quality glass in vape cartridges, emphasizing that it's not just up to manufacturers to ensure quality – consumers have a role to play too.
Understanding the Importance of Glass Quality
The choice of glass used in containers plays a pivotal role in the pharmaceutical industry, primarily because different types of glass can react differently with the substances they hold. In this industry, USP Chapter <1660> offers comprehensive guidelines on evaluating the durability of the inner surfaces of glass containers to prevent unwanted reactions.
A detailed study by Schott AG, a German technology group, brought this issue into sharper focus, illustrating the varying chemical durability of different types of glass when exposed to aggressive substances. The findings underscored the fact that not all glass is created equal, particularly when it comes to handling chemically aggressive solutions or solutions with high salt components.
Implications for the Cannabis Vaping Industry
These findings have serious implications for the cannabis industry, where vaping has become a predominant mode of consumption. With nearly half of all cannabis consumers choosing to vape, the safety of vape cartridges is of utmost importance.
However, unlike the pharmaceutical industry, the cannabis sector lacks standardized regulations, especially regarding the choice of glass used in vape cartridges. Consequently, some manufacturers may not be using the optimal grade of glass, leading to potential safety concerns. Low-quality glass in high-temperature applications, such as vaping, could potentially lead to the release of heavy metals and other contaminants into the vape juice.
Recent Warnings About Glass Quality
Emerging studies have raised concerning red flags. A recent Canadian study discovered traces of metallic particles in the vape juice of unused THC vape cartridges, with potential indications of glass tank breakdown, known as delamination. Although further research is needed, the preliminary evidence strongly suggests a need for more stringent standards for glass used in vape cartridges.
Data from this study relays the quantities of heavy metals detected were high enough to cause serious health problems in humans.
“Inhaled metals are rapidly absorbed through the respiratory tract and can be further transported to other organs. In the present study, a large number of cannabis vape liquids contained Ni and Pb significantly above the established tolerance limits. Lungs are particularly susceptible to Ni toxicity, which adverse effects can range from lung inflammatory changes to induced rhinitis and sinusitis or allergic dermatitis. Similarly, only low exposure to inhaled Pb can result in an increased risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases.”
What Can You The Consumer Do?
As consumers, we must understand that we also play a part in promoting product safety and demanding high-quality products. While individual companies need to prioritize using safe materials and high-quality glass, it is also up to us to make educated choices about the brands we support. This means opting for products from reputable manufacturers that prioritize safety and quality, and using our purchasing power to support brands that are transparent about their materials and manufacturing processes.
By demanding the quality we pay for and asking the right questions, we can encourage better practices within the industry, promoting not only our safety but also the overall quality of products in the market.
Final Thoughts
As the cannabis vaping industry continues to grow and evolve, it's imperative to keep the discussion on safety standards alive. With knowledge and vigilance from both manufacturers and consumers, we can ensure a safer future for all cannabis vape users.
- Wilson, R. (2023, July 9). What the Cannabis Industry Should Know About Glass. Analytical Cannabis. Retrieved from
- Evidence That Metal Particles in Cannabis Vape Liquids Limit Measurement Reproducibility, Z. Gajdosechova et. al., ACS Omega 2022, 7, 42783−42792,
- Comparative Predictive Glass Delamination Study, D. Haines, E. Gober-Mangan, M. Klause, U. Rothhaar, Schott AG, Germany, Pharmaceutical Industry, Cantor Verlag, Aulendorf, Vol. 84, No. 8, 1001–1012 (2022),
- Heavy Metals in Hemp Extracts, D. Picket, S. Giovinazzi Florida Dpt of Agriculture, Science of Cannabis Symposium, Analytical Cannabis, September, 2021,
I never cough harder than when I rip crappy carts