TEENS' HEALTH

TEENS' HEALTH
Glow stick risks
TEENSHEALTH.ORG
Popular at dance clubs and around Halloween, glow sticks may look harmless, but a recent study indicates they can cause some unpleasant eye and skin symptoms and possibly other problems.
The sticks and similar products, such as glowing plastic jewelry, are referred to as "chemiluminescent" because they get their glow from a chemical called dibutyl phthalate. Dibutyl phthalate can cause breathing problems, shock, and even death when ingested in large quantities.
In this study, published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, researchers reviewed 118 cases where kids and teens were exposed to open or leaking sticks or, in a few cases, jewelry. Twenty-three percent of those exposed developed symptoms, such as irritation of the mouth, throat, eyes and skin.
What does this mean to you? Glow sticks can cause irritation and other symptoms, especially if they are leaking. If you use sticks or jewelry, keep them away from your mouth and eyes. If you swallow the contents of a glow stick, you or your parent need to call your local poison control center for instructions.
XFor other health articles written just for teens, go online to http://www.TeensHealth.org.