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What Types of Substances Can a Vape Detector Identify?


Key Points:

  • Vape detectors are designed to sense aerosol particles, not specific brands or ingredients.

  • Advanced vape detectors use multi-sensor technology to distinguish between nicotine, THC, and other vaporized substances based on particle and chemical signatures.

  • Understanding detection capabilities helps schools choose the right device for their needs.

In the ongoing effort to reduce student vaping, many schools are turning to detection technology to help them stay ahead. But one common question is: what exactly can vape detectors identify?

Let’s break down how these detectors work, and what substances they’re equipped to detect.

How Vape Detectors Work


vapes lined up

Vape detectors do not “sniff” air like a human might. Instead, they detect changes in the air caused by aerosolized particles released from e-cigarettes or vapes. These particles vary in concentration, size, and chemical makeup depending on what’s being vaped, such as nicotine, cannabis (THC), CBD, or flavored liquids.

At Zeptive, our vape detectors utilize signals from both a chemical sensor and a particle matter sensor (PMS). This dual-technology approach enhances detection accuracy in complex environments like bathrooms, classrooms, and other areas.

  • The PMS helps distinguish between clouds of particulates, like vape aerosols, and background chemicals, such as air fresheners. It outputs particle count and concentration for four size ranges: 0.3-1 µm, 1-2.5 µm, 2.5-4 µm, and 4-10 µm. These ranges help characterize the particle size distribution in a sample.

  • The chemical sensor  detects chemical signatures from compounds such as alcohols, sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), chlorine, and other gases.

Together, these two sensor types allow Zeptive’s system to analyze the unique combination of particle concentration and chemical signals to determine whether a vaping event has occurred, and what kind of substance may be involved.


Substances Commonly Detected by Vape Detectors

  1. Nicotine Vape Products

    • Traditional e-cigarettes and flavored disposables.

    • Dense aerosol clouds are easily picked up by the PMS.

  2. THC (Cannabis) Vape Products

    • THC cartridges and oils emit a different aerosol signature.

    • Zeptive's advanced algorithm can distinguish between THC and nicotine events.

  3. CBD or Other Cannabinoids

    • CBD aerosols are also detectable by Zeptive’s algorithms.

  4. Other Vaporized Substances

    • Substances like propylene glycol or artificial flavoring also trigger alerts.


What Vape Detectors Do Not Detect

  • Non-aerosol odors, such as floor cleaners

  • Pills or edibles, no vapor or aerosol


Key Factors That Impact Detection

  • Device sensitivity: Zeptive’s dual-sensor design offers unmatched accuracy.

  • Room size and airflow: High ventilation can dilute aerosol concentration.

  • User proximity: Detection strength increases the closer the person vaping is to the sensor.

  • Tampering: All Zeptive detectors have built-in tamper, proximity, and masking alerts to flag interference attempts.

Customizable to Your Needs

Zeptive vape detector

While Zeptive's standard detection algorithm is highly optimized, our detectors are fully customizable. Schools can adjust alert thresholds, notification types, and integrate with their own policy enforcement workflows. For example, if you want a more sensitive profile for your organization’s bathroom, our platform can adapt.


Why Zeptive Leads the Market

Zeptive offers the most advanced vape detection technology on the market today:

  • Dual-sensor architecture

  • Real-time alerts and cloud-based data dashboards

  • Customizable detection and notification settings

  • Proven ability to distinguish nicotine from THC aerosols

  • Secure and tamper-resistant hardware built for educational environments

We don’t just detect, we empower organizations to respond with confidence, precision, and data.

The Bottom Line


Zeptive vape detectors are an essential part of a school’s anti-vaping strategy, yet not all devices are created equal. Zeptive’s combination of intelligent sensing, customizable algorithms, and user-friendly reporting tools makes it the most trusted solution available.

Detection is only the beginning. With Zeptive, you gain the insights and support needed to take meaningful action. By The Zeptive Team

References:

  1. Truth Initiative. (2023). E-cigarette aerosol and what’s in it. https://truthinitiative.org

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/health-effects.html

 
 
 
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