On 22th June 2023, FDA issues an updates on “Consumer updates” regarding health safety of common people specially for children due to mishandling of some exposure category of product. Here we are talking about exposure to nicotine containing e-liquids. This liquid used in “vape” products. In this updates FDA warns to parents about the danger of accidental exposure to nicotine containing e- liquids. Accidental exposure can cause injury and even death in children. FDA suggested as it’s important to keep these products away from kids and to be prepared in case of accidental ingestion or other emergencies due to unintended exposure. These e-liquids also harm to pets.
What is
e-liquid:- E-liquid that contain nicotine may be toxic if
swallowed or absorb through skin. Protect children and pets by keeping
e-liquids away out of reach.
E-liquids are containing
small amount of “Nicotine” and it can be dangerous to children if they touched
or drink by them. Nicotine may effect to children also if it is absorbed through
skin. E-liquid available in form of e-cigarette also.
FDA provides the data as
from April 2022 to March 2023, 7043 e-cigarette or e-liquid exposure cases were
reported and about 88% of exposure occurred among the children and those
children who are below 5 years old. Based on these data we can imagine how
dangerous the e-liquid products are for human health.
The
reason why E-Liquids Are Dangerous, Especially for Children
Young children can
be severely hurt by drinking e-liquids. Harmful effects can include seizure,
coma (long period of unconsciousness), respiratory arrest (which happens when a
person stops breathing), and death. Children may also accidentally be exposed
to e-liquids and their contents, including nicotine, through contact in the
mouth, contact on the skin (i.e., spilled e-liquid), or by inhaling the
e-liquid aerosol.
It’s important to
remember that containers for e-liquids can seem tempting to children of all
ages for many reasons. But these products are not meant for children, teens, or
young adults.
Some precautions to be follow for Storage of E-Liquids—and Teach Children to Avoid These Products
The
children are curious to know why their parent denied doing something however,
they are doing the same. Apart from above they put most of short things in
their mouth even you turn away for a few second,they can quickly get into things that could harm them.
You can help prevent accidental exposure to e-liquids by always
putting your e-cigarettes and/or e-liquids in a safe and elevated location, in
the original containers—and out of the reach and view of children and pets
—every time you use them.
FDA also suggested to ask family members, house guests, and
other visitors who vape to store their bags or coats that hold e-cigarettes or
e-liquids in a safe and elevated location, out of the reach and view of
children and pets.
For children old enough to understand, explain to them that
these products can be dangerous and should not be touched. Tell kids that you
or another adult are the only people who should handle these products.
Know the Poison Control Phone Number
Parent
to be prepared in case of an emergency and they should keep Poison Control HELP
number in their phone contacts. Here are the list of poison control help number
of some different country:-
India:-
1- All
India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
:(1800-116-117)
2- All
India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhopal. (1800-2333-1122)
3- Christian
Medical College Vellore. (1800-425-1213)
4- R. G. Kar Medical College (1800-345-0033)
USA:- To be prepared in case of an emergency at (1-800-222-1222).
Belgium (and Luxembourg):-
Medical professionals and
members of the public from Luxembourg can reach the Antipoison Centre on the
telephone number 8002 5500.
Australia:- In Australia all centres are accessed through one number, 13 11 26, and are
available 24/7.
Netherlands:- The National Poisons Information Centre (NVIC)
of the University Medical Center
Utrecht provides a 24/7 hotline service
(030-2748888), staffed by poison information specialists (SPIs). It is
open to medical professionals only and is not available to the general public.
United Kingdome:- The National
Poisons Information Service (NPIS) provides
toxicological information to health professionals to ensure patients receive
appropriate treatment. NPIS do not take calls from the general public, who are instead advised to contact the
non-emergency 111 number
for specific information on poisons, or 999
in an emergency.
Some Suggestion for Proper Handling of E-Liquids
When you remove products (adult-only) from their storage
locations, it is important to handle them in a way that may help to prevent
kids’ exposure to e-liquids.
- Store
e-liquids in their original containers. This will help children know to
avoid these products.
- Lock product caps when you’re not using
them. If a bottle has a cap that turns, twist it until you cannot twist
anymore.
- Avoid getting e-liquid on your skin or
in your eyes. E-liquid exposure can cause burning and irritation, among
other problems. In case of accidental contact with the skin, wash the area
thoroughly with soap and water. If the e-liquid gets in your eyes, rinse
thoroughly with water, and seek medical attention if there are changes in
your vision.
- Clean up any spills or splashes immediately using soap and water.
- Never drink e-liquid, or allow anyone to drink it, because the liquid nicotine can be poisonous. If a person of any age drinks e-liquid, accidental or not, immediately call Poison Control on above given numbers. Also call this number if you think your child has been exposed to these products—even if you’re not completely sure.
Report Safety Issues to the FDA
The FDA has regulatory authority over all tobacco
products—including e-cigarettes and other vaping products, cigars, cigarettes,
smokeless tobacco, hookah, and pipe tobacco—as part of its mission to protect
public health.
The FDA continues to warn companies that mislead kids with
e-liquids that imitate food products (such as juice boxes, candy, or cookies).
The FDA also is pursuing other steps to protect youth from the dangers of
tobacco products, such as continuing to enforce regulations addressing youth
access and exploring measures to make tobacco products less toxic, appealing,
and addictive.
Abhishek Singh is the author of Pharma technical support. He is pharmaceutical professionals, having experience of more than 12 years in Quality.