Are Silicone Pipes Dangerous

What Is Silicone?

Before delving further into whether or not silicone pipes are dangerous, you first need to know what silicone is. Silicone is a man-made synthetic polymer. The material is created from oxygen and silicon. A common confusion people tend to have is mixing silicone with silicon. Silicon is a natural element and is number 14 (symbol Si) on the Periodic Table of Elements. It is a common element found in the Earth’s crust. To make silicone, a process is used to alter the atoms in silicon and oxygen to combine them with other elements (like hydrogen and carbon). The end result of this process creates the plastic and rubbery material known as silicone. This material is highly durable, easy to maintain and mold, and can resist both cold and hot temperatures. In recent years, food-grade silicone (a form of silicone made that will not leach toxins or emit gas if heated) has become increasingly popular due to the discovery of certain types of plastic toxicity.

Are Silicone Pipes Dangerous?

One of the most common questions about silicone pipes and bongs is - “are silicone pipes dangerous?” In short, no. Silicone pipes are not dangerous as long as they use a grade of silicone that is safe for humans. Most reputable brands and companies use some form of FDA-approved silicone, ensuring your product is BPA-free and non-toxic. However, there are companies or businesses that sell silicone pipes and bongs that are made from poor-grade silicone. These imitation products may not be safe and can negatively impact the experience for smokers.

One thing to keep in mind is silicone pipes and silicone bongs should always contain a metal or glass bowl. This will ensure no direct contact will come into contact with the silicone. While silicone is extremely heat resistant, if the flame of the lighter comes into direct contact with the silicone for too long, it can start to deform or degrade the quality of your device.

If you are unsure about the silicone pipe you own, a good rule of thumb to follow is to remember a good grade silicone will not have any sort of unpleasant plastic taste or smell. Therefore, if your pipe is giving off any type of harmful fumes, the chances are your pipe or bong is made from an imitation silicone. If this is the case, you should not smoke out of it. Either throw it away or keep it for decoration.

Is It Worth Buying a Silicone Pipe?

While the overall choice on whether to purchase glass or silicone is ultimately a personal preference, as long as you take the proper precautions, silicone pipes are a highly popular and great alternative to glass. It offers many benefits which include (but are not limited to):

• Extremely Durable Unlike glass, silicone pipes are extremely durable. They can survive falls and drops to the floor without shattering. In fact, their durability is so high, they are commonly referred to as almost indestructible
• Low Maintenance and Great Flexibility -Silicone pipes can be twisted, pressed, and bent. Afterward, it will return back to its original state. Therefore, you can easily pack it for travel or clean those hard to reach places.
• Portability -Due to their high durability and lightweight nature, silicone pipes are easy to travel with. They can be placed in a variety of places (including your luggage) without the fear of breaking.
• Very Affordable -In most cases, glass pipes and bongs are handmade. Due to this, each piece is made one at a time. However, since silicone pipes are made using molds. Therefore, they can be mass-produced, which provides cost benefits for both the manufacturer and the user.

How Do I Safely Purchase a Silicone Pipe?

To safely purchase a silicone pipe, it is important to take the time to do a little research and educate yourself. In order to stay safe, you need to understand what to look for and how to maintain them. To help out, keep these five tips in mind.

• Make sure to purchase from a reputable company. Like many other products, quality is key and you always want to buy from a company you trust or with good ratings.
• Make sure the silicone pipe or bong does not contain BPA. Like other types of materials, there are options that are not safe for humans to use. While they may cost a little extra cash, it is always safer to purchase silicone pipes made from silicone that is BPA-free.
• Research and Read Reviews. A little research is always a great idea before making any type of purchase. By reading reviews and researching the item you are looking at, you can understand any safety issues or concerns users have found with the pipe.
• Never smoke using high temperatures. No matter what material your pipe is made out of, it is always extremely dangerous to smoke using high temperatures. Not only can this burn and or damage your esophagus, lungs, mouth, nose, and throat; but it can be dangerous and can weaken your pipe to heat silicone to high temperatures. You should also check to see the temperature rating for the silicone pipe or bong prior to purchase to ensure it will work for the purpose you are using it.
• Buy for quality, not for a cheaper price tag. Like any other product, you should never sacrifice the quality just to save some money. By spending a little more for a high-quality silicone pipe, you can ensure you will have a product that will last you for the long run.

If you purchase a good grade silicone pipe, silicone pipes are a great alternative to glass pipes. Silicone pipes and bongs offer great durability, easy portability, and are often cheaper than glass options. However, there are many poor-quality silicone options. Therefore, you should always make sure to purchase from a reputable company, do a little research, and make sure your product is BPA-free. This will help ensure you have a safe product you can use the smoking pipe for years to come, and not just something that will end up being a wall decoration.

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