Glow Bracelet Toxic Liquid Danger

Glow Bracelet Toxic Liquid Danger Causes Concern

Items that glow have delighted children and adults for years. The question surrounding the safety of the liquid inside glowing sticks, bracelets and other glow novelties often arises among concerned parents. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reports that each Halloween and Independence Day, calls concerning the safety of glow toys bombard its poison control center.

People aren’t just worried about their children either. The Animal Poison Control Center (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.

Are Glow Products Safe?

Yes, 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. An older child is more likely to have MySpace safety issues or run into school bus bullying than experience glow bracelet safety problems.

What’s Creating That 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.

What Poison Control Says

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. This is easiest in the shower. She can have the water at a comfortable temperature, hold her face to the shower, and blink her eyes. After 15-20 minutes of rinsing, let her rest with her eyes closed. In the meantime, call the poison center. With this treatment she should be perfectly fine. The poison center will stay in touch with you for a day or so to be sure.”

The advice from poison control for ingestion of the so-called glow bracelet toxic liquid danger 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.

So, although poison control is concerned, it is basically saying glow stick chemicals are dangerous but not deadly. Poison control encourages people to stay in touch often because different individuals can have various reactions to chemicals, such as how some people are very allergic to nuts and some people aren’t.

What The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Says

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is considered one of the best children’s hospitals in the country, possibly the world. Ranked number one in the nation by Child magazine and U.S News & World Report, it’s hard to imagine it would give poor advice.

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.”

Following is a round up of the advice the hospital gives for other contacts with dibutyl phthalate.

Eyes

Any irritant you get in your eyes will cause, well, 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 but to only seek medical attention if the discomfort persists.

Skin

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

Dibutyl phthalate swallowed will cause mouth and throat discomfort and soreness. You should rinse your mouth very well with plain water and then drink a cold beverage. Then the hospital recommends ice cream or ice water if any discomfort remains.

What The Animal Poison Control Center Says

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.

The Final Say

According to all the best resources available, there is no reason children cannot have fun with glowing products. Glow bracelet toxic liquid danger is heard around but there’s few involved with children’s health that will back it up. You should always handle any glow product with care, not allow small children or pets to play with it, and if a glow product breaks, you can call poison control for reassurance but there’s no reason to panic.

To learn more about safety at home with your children read Home Safety PowerPoint Presentation. To reach poison control, call (800) 222-1222.