FROM OUR experts
LESSONS FROM UPSTATE
E-cigarette liquid can be deadly BY AMBER SMITH
NICOTINE IS among the most toxic substances on Earth. Death can occur aer ingestions as small as 40 to 60 milligrams in adults or just 1 to 2 milligrams in children, depending on their size. Toxicologists at the Upstate New York Poison Center have consulted about children ingesting whole cigarettes or cigarette butts. Considering that each cigarette contains from 13 to 30 milligrams of nicotine and each butt contains 5 to 7 milligrams of nicotine, a child could have significant toxicity aer ingesting one cigarette or a few butts. (at’s just 1 to 2 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.) As electronic cigarettes gain in popularity, more calls come to the poison center regarding the liquids used in e-cigarettes. e liquids generally have concentrations of 10 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter of liquid. at means adults and children could develop significant toxicity aer ingestion of just a few drops of liquid. Toxicity can lead to paralysis and a slowed heart rate and breathing. Seizures are also possible. Here’s the scary truth: “ere is no antidote for nicotine toxicity,” toxicologists Robert Seabury and Christine Stork write on a blog for health care professionals. ey advise prompt emergency medical care that is tailored to the patient’s symptoms. ●
protect your children Ingesting the nicotine from one cigarette, two or three butts or just one milliliter* of e-cigarette liquid could prove fatal for a 25- to 30-pound toddler. Keep products containing nicotine out of reach of children. 1 milliliter = 1/5 teaspoon
CARING FOR SOMEONE the sick person might touch. If the sick person has a personal item like a blanket or shawl that he or she uses regularly, launder that as needed, maybe weekly, during the illness.
Family room or living room: Keep any touch points clean, such as the TV remote control. Use a bleach wipe on the device’s buttons and exterior, then let it air dry.
Computers and electronics: Clean the touch points with a specifically recommended wipe or other product that won’t damage the equipment.
Floors: Mop or vacuum on a regular basis and keep them free of debris.
other considerations:
The elderly: Touch points might include eyeglasses, pens or pencils or an emergency button worn around the neck.
winter 2019 l upstate.edu
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Children: If possible, have them play with toys that can be cleaned, such as hard plastic toys. People with disabilities: Touch points might include the surfaces of a wheelchair, walker, cane or crutches.
Finally: e last task of cleaning is to inspect the whole area and be sure you haven’t missed anything. Murphy adds that, in addition to its anti-infection benefits, a well-cleaned environment offers an emotional or psychological boost: “Clean, neat and organized gives that feeling of peace and calm. You’re not struggling to walk through a house when there’s no clutter. ere’s something to be said about that.” ●
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