Website design By BotEap.comPaintball is a popular outdoor sports activity in which players compete against each other on a battlefield, shooting from specialized guns that fire a ball-shaped pellet filled with paint at the intended target. What you may not know is that there are a couple of chemicals that are used to produce paintballs. Although most paintballs are labeled non-toxic, some of the ingredients used can have serious adverse reactions in animals if ingested.

Website design By BotEap.comThe granules used to hold the paint together and form the paintball are made from a mixture of gelatin and polyethylene glycol. Many of you are unaware of the fact that various paintball producers make these pellets in the same or very similar way that pharmaceutical companies use to make drug capsules. Polyethylene glycol can have a diuretic effect in some animals if ingested and can cause blood PH levels to become toxic.

Website design By BotEap.comAnother toxin used is glycerin which serves as a thickening agent in paintballs. It is also used to prevent paintballs from freezing, which is very important considering that this type of activity is very popular during the winter in various parts of the world.

Website design By BotEap.comA big secret in the field of paintballing is ground pigskin powder. Manufacturers use it because it helps keep the liquid ingredients inside the paintball from separating to preserve the vibrancy of the paintball’s color. Another commonly used ingredient is sorbitol, which serves to regulate moisture within the granule, preventing liquid ingredients from drying out. Another use of Sorbitol is that it increases the life of the paintball. Non-toxic food grade dyes are used to color the liquid ingredients of the paintball to create the “paint” encapsulated in the pellet.

Website design By BotEap.comHere is some interesting information about the ingredients used to make paintballs: Propylene glycol is quickly and easily absorbed by cells. This compound is the main reason for the bad taste, which is very “popular”. Sorbitol is polyethylene glycol and is used to keep the liquid mixture from drying out. Both compounds are non-toxic and water soluble, so you don’t have to worry about stains on your skin or hair caused by paintballs. They can be easily cleaned with hot soapy water.

Website design By BotEap.comDue to this rather long list of ingredients used, some recommendations are made in regards to its storage. They must be kept in a dry environment with a temperature below 60 C. The place must be isolated from possible variations in temperature, or at least large variations in temperature. High temperatures or humidity can cause paintballs to explode. It is not good for paintballs to be in a hot or humid place even for short periods of time, because it can cause them to swell.

Website design By BotEap.comAs you can see, the process of making paintballs and storing them in a safe environment is not as straightforward as many of us might have thought. The most important thing to know is that they are perfectly safe for players if they are manufactured and stored correctly in accordance with laws and regulations.