Herb vaporizers heat herbs to produce an inhalable aerosol. However, the published works about these emissions are very limited.

The purpose of this study was to determine particulate matter (PM) and black carbon (BC) emissions generated from dry chamomile in a commercial device. PM and BC emissions were measured using a Light-Scattering Laser Photometer and an Aethalometer, respectively. Organic chamomile was vaporized at 195, 210 and 225oC in a commercial vaporizer. A peristaltic pump was used to simulate human use. Puff duration was set 2 and 5 seconds and puff interval at 30 seconds.

Figure 1 shows that particles emissions increase with temperature and puff duration; however, BC emissions are very low comparing to PM ones.

In all temperatures and for both PM and BC (figure 2 for PM at 195C), the maximum concentration is reached to the 3rd to 4th puff.

Chamomile used in an herb vaporizer produces non-negligible concentration of particles. Since PM is hazardous to human health, these findings highlight the necessity for future research in the field of dried herb vaping.