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Toxic Dangers of Glow Bracelets
dibutyl phthalate is not a poison; it is an
irritant - the best treatment for any exposure to dibutyl phthalate is water
By Cheryl Cirelli
Glow
bracelets, sticks, and necklaces are popular items for kids.
However,
many parents are concerned about the liquid inside and whether or not it is
toxic.
Rest
assured that these items are relatively safe, but of course there are some
precautions to consider when using them for fun.
Are
Glow Products Safe?
People
aren't just worried about their children either. The Animal Poison Control
Center of the ASCPA receives masses of similar calls from concerned pet owners
each year.
With
this overwhelming concern for public safety, it's a surprise that glow products
are such big sellers.
Glowing
novelty products, such as bracelets and sticks, are safer than the common
household cleaners you find in a typical home.
Your
young child is far more likely to be seriously hurt from choking on a small
glow toy than by splashing herself with the liquid contained inside.
What
Creates the Glow?
The
liquid inside of some glow products is a chemical called dibutyl phthalate.
Glow
products that don't use dibutyl phthalate use a small glass ampoule that
contains a mixture of hydrogen peroxide dissolved in phthalic ester.
Surrounding
the glass ampoule is another chemical called phenyl oxalate ester.
Dibutyl
phthalate, widely considered the more dangerous of the above components, is
used to manufacture plastics, glues, nail polish, leather, printing inks,
safety glass, dyes and is used as a solvent for perfume.
Poison
Control Comments
None
of these chemicals are deadly dangerous, according to The National Capital
Poison Center, which offers the following advice in the questions and answers
section of its site:
"Question: My 7-year-old broke the light stick
that goes with her Halloween costume. It splashed in her eye. She's screaming
that it hurts. What should I do?
Answer: Rinse her eyes with running water for 15-20
minutes. After 15-20 minutes of rinsing, let her rest with her eyes closed. In
the meantime, call the poison center."
The
advice from poison control for ingestion of the so-called glowing toxic liquid
chemical is much the same.
Rinse
your mouth out well, drink a little milk, and call poison control, which will
again, stay in touch to make sure you're fine.
Poison
control encourages people to stay in touch often because different individuals
can have various reactions to chemicals.
The
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Comments
The
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is considered one of the best children's
hospitals in the country, possibly the world.
The hospital's poison control center reports that, "dibutyl
phthalate is not a poison; it is an irritant. The best treatment for any
exposure to dibutyl phthalate is water."
The
following is a round-up of the advice the hospital gives for handling contact
with dibutyl phthalate.
Eyes
Any
foreign substance you get in your eyes will cause irritation. Dibutyl phthalate
in the eyes will sting immediately and can cause a burning sensation and
tearing.
The
tearing part is good - it's the body's natural way of ridding itself of
chemicals.
The
hospital recommends washing your eyes out with water for 15-20 minutes and seek
medical attention if the discomfort persists.
If
dibutyl phthalate is splashed on the skin, it will cause stinging, redness, and
irritation. Flush with water and soap and later apply cream if the irritation
continues.
Ingestion
If
your child swallows dibutyl phthalate, the substance will cause mouth and
throat discomfort and soreness.
You
should rinse your mouth very well with plain water and then drink a cold
beverage.
Next,
contact the poison control center. Then the hospital recommends ice cream or
ice water if any discomfort remains.
The
Animal Poison Control Center Comments
Animal
Poison Control reports that glow products are a low toxicity issue.
Glow
products may cause intense taste sensations in animals along with stomach
upset, but no serious problems occur unless a very large amount is ingested.
Advice
on Glow Products
According
to all the best resources available, glowing products do not present an acute
danger to children or pets.
You
should always handle any glow product with care and supervise older children
who are using it.
Small
children and pets should not play with glow products. If a glow product breaks,
you do not need to panic, but you should call poison control for more
information.
To
reach poison control, call (800) 222-1222.
Cheryl Cirelli, a native of Western Pennsylvania, is a contributing
writer at LoveToKnow and started with the company in 2008. She brings an eclectic
mix of skills to LoveToKnow and is always eager to learn about new things.
Nonprofit Management and
Fundraising Experience
With over 15 years of
extensive experience in nonprofit management and special event fundraising,
Cheryl has a lot of knowledge and tips to share. She stays current in her field
by attending various nonprofit management seminars and researching trends in
the nonprofit sector.
Party and Event Planning
Cheryl has overseen events
both large and small and enjoys organizing and planning events and parties for
work and for family.
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