Health and Me

Ishita Roy

E-Cigarettes Carry Fecal Bacteria Like E. Coli And More, More Details Inside

What if you are told that the vape you are using contains bacteria found in poop. You read that right. According to a study conducted by HAYPP along with Microbiologist Reynold Mpofu at BioLabTests, bacteria like staphylococcus and bacillus were found on vape, as well as fecal bacterium, E. coli is found on vape, which is often found in public bathroom. 

More than 100 million people worldwide use e-cigarettes or vapes, and at least 1 in 6 people vape in toilet. Furthermore, vapes are rarely cleaned, and thus become germ hotspots.

The study found that vape mouthpieces are highly contaminated with bacteria. More than 1.5 million colony-forming unites or CFUs were identified on the vape mouthpiece, the maximum amount measurable by the lab, carrying as many as 2,300 times more bacteria than a public toilet, which has 50 CFUs per square inch. 

“Laboratory analysis revealed that the mouthpiece is the dirtiest component of the vape. This isn’t surprising given that the human mouth, largely considered to be one of the ‘dirtiest’ parts of the body, harbors approximately 700 species of bacteria, that amounts to billions of individual bacteria,” said Mpofu.

The study was able to identify a range of bacteria, including skin microbes to gut bacteria like E.coli.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/uk-investigates-impact-of-vaping-on-its-young-users-article-151194007" data-type="tilCustomLink">UK Investigates Impact Of Vaping On Its Young Users</a>

The study identified these following bacteria on the vape:

<ul><li>Bacillus: commonly found in dust and the air</li><li>E.coli: indicates possible fecal contamination</li><li>Yeast and mold: can cause respiratory irritation</li><li>Staphylococcus: usually harmless, but could cause infection</li><li>Enterococcus: intestinal bacteria that can persist on surfaces</li></ul>

The study was also able to identify bacteria on the vape body. The lab also observed a rapid microbial growth between just 2 to 3 days of use. These colonies could be seen multiplying thousand of times over. 

While many of these are found on human skin or surrounding, some are intestinal bacteria, like aforementioned, E.coli, and Enterococcus, which points towards unwashed hands, explaining the transfer on the surface. 

“Much like phones, vapes are frequently handled and placed on a variety of surfaces, allowing germs, oils, and dirt from hands, pockets and various environments to latch on the device. The findings confirmed the presence of bacteria, including E. coli and Enterococcus, on the vape body, likely arising from inadequate hand hygiene or the transfer of microorganisms from bathroom environments or other contaminated surfaces,” said Mpofu.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/no-smoke-day-2025-why-is-my-idea-of-break-is-to-have-a-smoke-article-151259079" data-type="tilCustomLink">Why Is My Idea Of Break Is To Have A Smoke?</a>

<h2>The Timeline Of Bacteria Development</h2>

The first signs of microbes start to appear within the first day of buying a brand new vape, especially around the mouthpiece. 

By day three, the vape accumulates more than 2,300 times the microbial load typically found on a toilet seat. 

By the seventh day, bacteria like E.coli. and Enterococcus and other fecal indicators are detected on the mouthpiece and vape’s body. Mould and bacteria are also found on levels.

By day 14, despite no new use or cleaning, the vape remains heavily contamination. The contamination does not fade overtime.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/these-us-states-vape-the-most-article-151236952" data-type="tilCustomLink">These US States Vape The Most</a>

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E. coli (Escherichia coli)

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What if you are told that the vape you are using contains bacteria found in poop. You read that right. According to a study conducted by HAYPP along with Microbiologist Reynold Mpofu at BioLabTests, bacteria like staphylococcus and bacillus were found on vape, as well as fecal bacterium, E. coli is found on vape, which is often found in public bathroom. What Did The Study Find?More than 100 million people worldwide use e-cigarettes or vapes, and at least 1 in 6 people vape in toilet. Furthermore, vapes are rarely cleaned, and thus become germ hotspots.The study found that vape mouthpieces are highly contaminated with bacteria. More than 1.5 million colony-forming unites or CFUs were identified on the vape mouthpiece, the maximum amount measurable by the lab, carrying as many as 2,300 times more bacteria than a public toilet, which has 50 CFUs per square inch. “Laboratory analysis revealed that the mouthpiece is the dirtiest component of the vape. This isn’t surprising given that the human mouth, largely considered to be one of the ‘dirtiest’ parts of the body, harbors approximately 700 species of bacteria, that amounts to billions of individual bacteria,” said Mpofu.The study was able to identify a range of bacteria, including skin microbes to gut bacteria like E.coli.Also Read: UK Investigates Impact Of Vaping On Its Young Users The Species IdentifiedThe study identified these following bacteria on the vape:Bacillus: commonly found in dust and the airE.coli: indicates possible fecal contaminationYeast and mold: can cause respiratory irritationStaphylococcus: usually harmless, but could cause infectionEnterococcus: intestinal bacteria that can persist on surfacesThe study was also able to identify bacteria on the vape body. The lab also observed a rapid microbial growth between just 2 to 3 days of use. These colonies could be seen multiplying thousand of times over. While many of these are found on human skin or surrounding, some are intestinal bacteria, like aforementioned, E.coli, and Enterococcus, which points towards unwashed hands, explaining the transfer on the surface. “Much like phones, vapes are frequently handled and placed on a variety of surfaces, allowing germs, oils, and dirt from hands, pockets and various environments to latch on the device. The findings confirmed the presence of bacteria, including E. coli and Enterococcus, on the vape body, likely arising from inadequate hand hygiene or the transfer of microorganisms from bathroom environments or other contaminated surfaces,” said Mpofu.Read: Why Is My Idea Of Break Is To Have A Smoke?The Timeline Of Bacteria DevelopmentThe first signs of microbes start to appear within the first day of buying a brand new vape, especially around the mouthpiece. By day three, the vape accumulates more than 2,300 times the microbial load typically found on a toilet seat. By the seventh day, bacteria like E.coli. and Enterococcus and other fecal indicators are detected on the mouthpiece and vape’s body. Mould and bacteria are also found on levels.By day 14, despite no new use or cleaning, the vape remains heavily contamination. The contamination does not fade overtime.Read: These US States Vape The Most