Science & Technology Dad’s warning after girl, 14, dies from inhaling deodorant

THE parents of a girl who died after inhaling aerosol deodorant want clearer product labelling to warn people of the potential dangers.

Giorgia Green, who was 14 and from Derby, had a cardiac arrest after spraying the deodorant in her bedroom.

Her parents have since become aware of other young people who accidentally died after inhaling deodorant.

In response, the British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA) said deodorants have “very clear warnings”.

By law, aerosol deodorants must be printed with the warning “keep out of reach of children”.

However, Giorgia’s parents said the writing was small.

They believe many parents buy deodorant for their children without noticing the warning.

“People don’t know how dangerous the contents of those tins can be,” said her father Paul.

“I would like it so that no-one else in the country - or the worldwould end up having to go through what we’ve personally gone through.

“We don’t want our daughter’s death to be in vain.”

Giorgia was autistic and her father said she liked to spray deodorant on blankets as she found the smell comforting.

“The smell of it gave her a certain sense of relaxation,” said Mr Green.

“If she was feeling in any way a little bit anxious, she would spray this spray and it would give her a sense of comfort because it’s a deodorant my wife used.”

Giorgia’s older brother found her unresponsive in her bedroom on 11 May 2022.

“Her door was open, so it wasn’t as if it was an enclosed environment,” said her father.

“The exact amount [of deodorant] isn’t clear but it would be more than you would normally spray.

“At some point her heart stopped as a result of breathing it in.”

An inquest was held into Giorgia’s death and the coroner recorded the conclusion as misadventure.

Her medical cause of death was “unascertained but consistent with inhalation of aerosol”.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), “deodorant” was mentioned on 11 death certificates between 2001 and 2020.

However, the actual number of deaths is likely to be higher than this, due to the fact that specific substances are not always mentioned on death certificates.

Giorgia’s death certificate referred to “inhalation of aerosol” rather than “deodorant”.

Butane - the main ingredient of Giorgia’s deodorant - was recorded as having been involved in 324 deaths between 2001 and 2020. Propane and isobutanealso in Giorgia’s deodorant - were mentioned in 123 and 38 deaths respectively.

The ONS said the substances had been linked to a number of deaths, noting: “The inhalation of butane or propane gas can lead to heart failure.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said a number of people had died after over-spraying deodorants.

‘COMMON MISCONCEPTION’

Ashley Martin, public health adviser at RoSPA, said: “It’s easy to assume they are completely safe and totally free from risk. The truth is they’re not.

“Inhaling large quantities of aerosols, not just deodorants, can lead to a whole host of lifeendangering scenarios - from blackouts and breathing difficulties, to heart rhythm changes and sadly, death.

“There’s a common misconception that fatalities from aerosols only happen in a substance abuse scenario, but this is absolutely not true.

“We have seen a number of fatalities over recent years where children and young adults have over-sprayed aerosols - from teenagers conscious of body odour, to children seeking reassurance from familiar smells.”

Giorgia’s parents said they had come across some of these cases through their own research.

They include 12-year-old Daniel Hurley, also from Derbyshire, who collapsed and died after spraying himself with deodorant in a bathroom.

“That was in 2008 but my daughter died in 2022,” said Mr Green. “The awareness still isn’t where it should be.”

More recently, 13-year-old Jack Waple died in similar circumstances to Giorgia in 2019. His inquest heard he sprayed deodorant if he felt anxious when his mother left the house, as it smelled like her.

By law, aerosol deodorants must be printed with the warning “keep out of reach of children”.

Most aerosol deodorants also have a warning that says “solvent abuse can kill instantly”. This is not a legal requirement, but is recommended by BAMA due to the risk of people inhaling aerosols to intentionally get high.

Giorgia’s parents believe the warning should be changed to “solvent use can kill instantly”, because Giorgia was not abusing deodorant.

Aerosol deodorants must also contain instructions on their correct usage, which are written following risk assessments carried out by the manufacturer. For example, the instructions might say “use in short bursts in well-ventilated places”. If an aerosol deodorant is flammable there must also be a warning about this. (BBC)

Bharat Biotech: India launches its first nasal Covid vaccine

INDIA has approved its first nasal Covid vaccine.

Made by Bharat Biotech, iNCOVACC is administered in the form of drops and stimulates an immune response in the tissues that line the nasal cavity.

In September 2022, China had approved an inhaled Covid vaccine, administered in the form or a spray.

Scientists say that nasal vaccines may offer added immunity in the lining of the nose and upper airways, where Covid typically enters the body.

Research teams in the UK and the US have also been investigating nasal spray vaccines.

In November, India’s drug regulator approved the use of iNCOVACC as a heterologous booster dose - a booster for people who had previously received two doses of Covishied or Covaxin, the two main Indian vaccines - in emergency situations among adults. iNCOVACC uses a adenovirus as a carrier for the genetic code that teaches the body how to fight the infection. Adenoviruses used in the vaccines are harmless transporters which have been modified so they cannot replicate or cause infection.

In December, it was approved by the drug regulator as a primary vaccine and as a subsequent booster shot in adults.

The vaccine will cost 800 rupees ($10; £8) per dose in private hospitals and 325 rupees per dose in government hospitals and can be booked on the government’s online platform. Two doses are to be taken 28 days apart.

Dr Krishna Ella, chairman of Bharat Biotech, told ANI news agency that the vaccine was “easy to deliver” as it didn’t need a syringe or needle, and that it produced a broader immune response as compared to injectable Covid vaccines.

India has administered over two billion Covid jabs so far. More than 70% of the Indian population has taken at least two doses, according to the federal health ministry.

In January 2022, India began giving boosters to healthcare and frontline workers, and those above 60 years with comorbidities. It was later expanded to all adults. However, the pace of booster doses administrated has been slow. (BBC)