Boca Recovery Study: Vapes Have 400x More Bacteria Than a Toilet Handle

If you've strolled the streets of Miami, chances are you've come upon someone puffing on a vape pen — it's practically part of the scenery. It's the so-called healthier way to smoke. But a recent study from Boca Recovery Center, a provider of clinical programming and care for drug and alcohol abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders, revealed some dirty secrets hiding in those little devices.

It seems they're the place bacterial colonies love to call home.

Whether you're a marijuana connoisseur pregaming for your vote for Amendment 3 or anticipating the arrival of Mike Tyson's weed brand, your vape pen is likely teeming with stanky lil' organisms. Probably your bong and pipe, too.

As Boca Recovery Center's Dr. Alison Tarlow sums up, "This research uncovers a potentially serious health hazard that is often overlooked by many cannabis users."

Bacterial Profiles From Cannabis Smoking Devices

The study found a wide range of bacteria hanging out on your pot (or tobacco) paraphernalia. Researchers analyzed the bacterial content of bongs, bowls, vapes, and one-hitters using colony-forming units (CFUs) — a fancy term for the number of viable bacteria cells in a sample. Here's what they found:

• Gram-positive cocci: These spherical bacteria form clusters, chains, or pairs. While some are harmless, others can cause infections.
• Bacillus: Rod-shaped and often resilient, these bacteria are found in soil and water. They're hardy and can even form spores, making them tough to get rid of.
• Gram-positive rods: These rod-shaped, common bacteria are easily treated with antibiotics but can pose health risks.
• Actinomycetes: Resembling fungi, these bacteria are typically found in soil and water. Many are beneficial, but certain types can cause infections, especially in those with weakened immune systems.

Understanding these bacteria isn't just a science lesson; it's a heads-up that smoking devices might be hazardous to your health.

"By educating users on these bacterial profiles on devices, we can hope to reduce the number of overlooked health impacts for many people," Tarlow says.

Bongs: The Worst Offenders

When it comes to bacterial load, bongs take the crown of foulness. According to the study, bongs host more than 30 million colony-forming units (CFUs) of bacteria — that's 58,000 times more bacteria than you'd encounter on a typical toilet seat. (Note to germ-phobic smokers out there: That's pretty dang nasty.) These microbial hitchhikers include gram-positive rods, which can cause infections if inhaled or ingested.

"It is also important to clean smoking devices, such as bongs, with products that are safe and do not contain harmful chemicals that could be inhaled or ingested," Tarlow notes.

Bowls: Forgotten and Filthy

Not far behind bongs are bowls, with more than 24 million CFUs per unit. That's nearly double the amount of bacteria found in a kitchen sink. What's worse? Bowls are the least frequently cleaned of all smoking devices. The study revealed that nearly 60 percent of cannabis users clean their bowls once a month or less. 

Vape Pens: More Bacteria Than Expected

Often hailed as a cleaner alternative to traditional smoking methods, vape pens didn't fare much better in the study. Boca Recovery found that the average vape pen harbors nearly 400 times more bacteria than a toilet handle. You say vaping is the "healthy" option? Those bacteria beg to differ.

One-Hitters Aren't Immune

Ah, the simplicity of the one-hitter. Not so fast, says Boca Recovery. The study showed that one-hitters contained 14 times more bacteria than an airport self-check-in kiosk. Your go-to for a quick puff harbors easily enough bacteria to make you sick.

Why Are Cannabis Devices So Filthy?

Why do cannabis delivery systems wind up teeming with bacteria? According to the study, the answer is simple: Many users don't clean them often enough. That's right. Across the board, cannabis users are slackers when it comes to device hygiene.

The study found that 44 percent of one-hitter users and 38 percent of vape users clean their devices once a month or less. Bongs — the dirtiest devices of all — get scrubbed even less frequently, with 59 percent of users admitting to the same sporadic cleaning regime. When you combine all devices, 41 percent of respondents admit to cleaning their devices rarely or never.

"It's alarming and disturbing that more than one in ten cannabis users have never cleaned their devices," Tarlow says. "Inadequate and infrequent cleaning of paraphernalia can result in harmful bacterial buildup."

Adding to this bacteria bonanza is the widespread practice of sharing devices. More than 30 percent of users confessed to passing their piece around when they weren't feeling well. Combine that with the infrequent cleanings, and you've got a perfect storm of germs.

"Users should clean their cannabis devices on a regular basis to avoid bacteria buildup and also be cautious when sharing paraphernalia recreationally," Tarlow advises.

The Takeaway: Keep it Clean, Florida

As Florida voters prepare to go to the polls to decide whether cannabis should be legalized for recreational use, this study serves as a timely reminder that cannabis users need to prioritize paraphernalia hygiene. Whether it's a satisfying pull off a bong, a relaxing inhale of a vape pen, or a quick date with your one-hitter, cleanliness is key.

"By educating users on these bacterial profiles on devices, we can hope to reduce the number of overlooked health impacts for many people," Tarlow says.

The prospect that Amendment 3 might bring increased freedom for cannabis enthusiasts across Florida should also serve as a reminder to keep smoking devices — and our lungs — clean. Cannabis culture is evolving in the Sunshine State, but that doesn't mean germs have to grow along with it.