Citation

Ordonez JE, Kleinschmidt KC, Forrester MB. Nicotine Tob. Res. 2014; 17(2): 209-211.

Affiliation

Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, United States Kurt.Kleinschmidt@UTSouthwestern.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/ntr/ntu223

PMID

25344956

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to the liquid nicotine solutions (LNS) IN: electronic cigarettes E-CIGS: may be dangerous because they are highly concentrated. Little is known about the impact of exposure on public health. This study describes E-CIG: exposures reported to poison centers.

METHODS: All E-CIG: exposures reported to Texas poison centers during 2009 to February 2014 were identified. Exposures involving other substances in addition to E-CIGS: and exposures not followed to a final medical outcome were included. The distributions of exposures by demographic and clinical factors were determined.

RESULTS: Of 225 total exposures, two were reported in 2009, six in 2010, 11 in 2011, 43 in 2012, 123 in 2013 and 40 through February 2014. Fifty-three percent (n=119) occurred among individuals age <5 years old, 41% (n=93) >20 years old and 6% (n=13) between 6-19 years. Fifty percent were female. The route of exposure was 78% ingestion. Eighty-seven percent of the exposures were unintentional and 5% intentional. The exposures occurred at patient's own residence in 95% of the cases. The clinical effects reported most often were vomiting (20%), nausea (10%), headache (4%), ocular irritation (5%), dizziness (5%), and lethargy (2%).

CONCLUSION: ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES: exposures reported to poison centers are increasing. Most of the patients are young children. The exposures most frequently occur through ingestion. Reported exposures often do not have serious outcomes.

Language: en