Home Cosmetic Science Talk Formulating Preservative for Glycerin based fog fluid.

  • Preservative for Glycerin based fog fluid.

    Posted by Symbiosis on September 10, 2022 at 12:36 pm

    Hey guys, I’m lost, so l’m looking for some ideas on how to preserve a 30% glycerin/water solution of fog machine vapor fluid. It must be non toxic, safe for breathing as well as preferably a natural source. 

    I have looked over many fog liquid MSDS and most are Propylene glycol/ Triethylene glycol based with 30-40% pg and water. I really want to go the glycerin route though. 

    I found one SDS where only 20-30% glycerin is used. Another says it has Sodium Dehydroacetic 2.6-5ppm added.

    I was considering something Sodium or Alcohol based but don’t see any data on Inhalation. Theres not really much data on Inhalation of things, but I suppose I need to stay away of anything inflammatory.

    Please let me know your thoughts, Thank you!

    PhilGeis replied 2 years, 2 months ago 2 Members · 8 Replies
  • 8 Replies
  • PhilGeis

    Member
    September 10, 2022 at 8:42 pm

    Machine vapor/fog.  In what application?

  • Symbiosis

    Member
    September 10, 2022 at 10:57 pm

    Mainly special effects fog, like for halloween

  • PhilGeis

    Member
    September 11, 2022 at 1:18 am

    US then - prob never get caught, but law requires preservative to be registered with EPA.  Dolt think DHA is and 2-5 ppm is pretty useless.
    30% glycerol is pretty simple - can you make it fresh for every use?  Think the Aw should be around 0.9, so some protection.  

  • Symbiosis

    Member
    September 11, 2022 at 4:06 am

    Yes, the glycerol at 30% will lower the WA some but I just need that extra push to give it some protection for a 12mo shelf life.

    These machines have a thin copper tube,  so I don’t want anything that would clog or buildup. There is a small pump that pushes fluid through the tube, it passes an area that has a heated casting around the tube which then produces the steam/ fog effect instantly. 

    I was thinking something simple like, alcohol, potassium sorbate, citric acid, etc. 

  • PhilGeis

    Member
    September 11, 2022 at 7:05 pm

    You’d need up to 20% ethanol; sorbate requires  pH control and isn’t registered; citric acid is not a preservative.  Whatever you use, it has to be safe for inhalation.  Target is largely fungal and Gram positives.  You’re likely using water of whatever quality, and glycerol largely stops growth rather than kill.  

    Maybe benzalkonium Cl (BAK), commonly used in nasal sprays tho pH might be a bit low - bet there’s a registered preservative version.   I recall using DMDM hydantoin in spray-on hair conditioner - cleared by comp. toxicologists but safety is on you.  There is a registered version.  Neither BAK nor DMDM Hydantoin is that great vs fungi.  But safety is on you.

  • Symbiosis

    Member
    September 12, 2022 at 1:30 am
    @PhilGeis Thanks for your help. I am using distilled water.
    I was also looking into BAK because of its popular known use pharma.
    Anything natural you would recommend specifically to target mold growth?
    Does the MSDS have to list the preservative, I only ask because of all I have looked at I don’t see any listed, its usually just Glycerol, PG, TG, combo at less than 40%
  • Symbiosis

    Member
    September 12, 2022 at 1:40 am
    This is from Homedepot brand fog fluid SDS:
    This product is a filtered blend of ingredients regularly used by the food and cosmetics industry. Main component of the product is water. This material is not considered to be hazardous according
    to regulatory guidelines.
    So they don’t list anything.

  • PhilGeis

    Member
    September 12, 2022 at 9:26 am

    Nothing that is appropriate and could be called “natural” comes to mind.
    MSDS/SDS focus is hazard, and figure Homedepot guys know their OSHA.

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