Electronic cigarettes, or vapes, use a heated liquid (e-liquid or vape juice) to create an inhalable aerosol. This liquid is composed of chemicals that produce the vapor cloud and deliver flavor and nicotine. Since these products are relatively new, they have become the subject of widespread speculation and misinformation regarding their contents. This article addresses one persistent claim: the idea that vaping liquids are formulated using urine.
The Truth About Urine in Vaping Liquids
The definitive answer is that vaping liquids do not contain urine. Commercial e-liquids are produced using pharmaceutical-grade ingredients in controlled laboratory settings, not with biological waste. This rumor appears to be a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of a specific chemical component: urea.
Urea is a naturally occurring organic compound found in urine, which is its primary biological source, but it is also a widely used industrial chemical. Trace amounts of urea have occasionally been detected in some vaping liquids, which is likely the direct source of this false claim. However, the urea used in many consumer products is a synthetic compound created in a lab, not extracted from human or animal waste.
The presence of urea in e-liquids is not an intentional or necessary component of the formulation. These liquids are primarily composed of well-defined chemical carriers that create the vapor. The manufacturing process involves combining these carriers with flavorings and nicotine. This process strictly excludes the use of any biological fluids, making the suggestion that e-liquids are manufactured using urine scientifically inaccurate.
Primary Components of Vaping Liquids
E-liquids are built upon a base of two primary carrier liquids: propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). Propylene glycol is a clear, slightly viscous fluid common in pharmaceuticals, food products, and cosmetics. In e-liquid, PG carries the flavorings effectively and contributes to the sensation of a “throat hit” upon inhalation.
Vegetable glycerin (VG) is a thicker, clear liquid derived from plant oils. VG is responsible for producing the dense vapor clouds characteristic of e-cigarettes. It imparts a slightly sweet taste and creates a smoother sensation in the throat compared to PG. Manufacturers adjust the ratio of PG to VG to control the vapor density and flavor intensity of the final product.
A third major component is nicotine, which is optional but included in most e-liquids. Nicotine can be extracted from tobacco plants or synthesized in a laboratory (tobacco-free nicotine). The chemical form varies, with some e-liquids using traditional freebase nicotine and others using nicotine salts. Nicotine salts allow for higher concentration levels without a harsh throat sensation.
The final category includes flavorings, which are typically food-grade chemicals. These compounds give e-liquids their vast range of tastes, such as fruit, dessert, or tobacco blends. While the base carriers are generally recognized as safe for ingestion, the safety of many flavorings when heated and inhaled remains an area of ongoing scientific scrutiny.
Why This Misconception Exists
The confusion surrounding urine in vaping liquids is a straightforward case of chemical terminology being misinterpreted by the public. The compound urea is a common chemical found in many industrial and consumer products, but its association with its biological source in human urine is what sparks the sensational rumor. When trace amounts of urea were identified in some early e-liquid analyses, the information was quickly distorted.
This type of misinformation thrives on the general public’s distrust of complex chemical names and processes. Since the primary components of e-liquids, such as propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, are complex chemical compounds, the introduction of another chemical like urea contributes to a narrative of dangerous and unknown ingredients. The public often lacks the context to distinguish between a synthetic, pharmaceutical-grade chemical and its biological counterpart.
The rumor is also amplified by the rapid spread of sensationalized claims on social media and the general lack of regulation that characterized the early days of the vaping industry. The fact that urea is also a component in industrial processes, such as the production of fertilizer, further confuses the issue by linking the product to non-food-grade chemicals. Ultimately, the misconception exists because a common industrial chemical shares a name with a well-known biological waste product.