Are cannabis vape pens safe? from freemexy's blog

Concentrates and vapor pens are among some of the fastest growing markets in the cannabis industry.In fact, the market for concentrates and vapor pens has increased by 145.6 percent between 2014 and 2016 in Washington state alone.To get more news about Vaporizer Kits, you can visit univapo official website.

Most often made using solvents to strip the herb’s essential oils from plant material, concentrates are most often used in vaporization or inhaled via special “rigs” used for instant vaporization of oils.In general, vaporization is considered a far safer alternative to cannabis smoking. In fact, the first long-term, peer-reviewed study on the subject was published in early 2017 in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

After examining blood and urine samples from 181 participants, British researchers discovered that those who switched to vaporization and electronic cigarettes showed significantly lower levels of carcinogens and other toxic chemicals than consumers who smoked.

Yet, some experts are calling bluff on the idea that all cannabis vape pens are safe.

Why? The quality of vapor pens can range wildly depending on how a cannabis concentrate was processed and made.
1. Some vape pens contain harmful additives

As it turns out, some vape pens may not be so safe.In a 2017 report published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine showed that certain common additives to vapor pens may pose health risks.
2. Concentrates may contain higher levels of pesticide contaminants

Vapor cartridges, e-juices, and other types of cannabis concentrates are more likely to contain residual pesticide contaminants than flower.

Why? A batch of cannabis concentrate may be equivalent to several pounds of cannabis flowers.While one of those flowers individually may not contain unsafe levels of pesticide, a highly concentrated oil made after extracting resin from a great many plants may be more problematic.

Cannabis extractions concentrate resin, including pesticides that may be attached to that resin. Therefore, a vapor cartridge or BHO extraction is more likely to contain more concentrated quantities of contaminants.
3. Concentrates contain very different terpenes than dried flower

Concentrates, e-liquids, and vapor cartridges are not exactly the same as cannabis flower.

While concentrates, vapor pens, and e-liquids may be labeled under the same strain names, the extraction process eliminates and alters many of the terpene aroma molecules found inside whole cannabis flower.

In a Washington state study comparing dried cannabis flower to subcritical CO2 extractions, the most common type of extract used in vapor pens, Dr. Michelle Sexton and her team found that the terpene concentrations differed significantly between the two products.
4. Vaporization temperature matters

Depending on what type of vape pen you have, you may actually be combusting e-liquid or concentrate instead of vaporizing.True vaporization happens at low temperatures. However, vapor pens and vaporizers that allow consumers to use high heat settings may be more similar to a portable smoking device.