Citation

Labadie M, Langrand J, Leroux G, Manel J, Nisse P, Sapori JM, Tournoud C, Sinno-Tellier S, Greillet C, Solal C. Clin. Toxicol. (Phila) 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

ANSES, Direction Alertes et Veille sanitaires , Paris , France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15563650.2019.1657144

PMID

31475854

Abstract

Context: Slime is a slow-flowing material with viscoelastic properties which is attractive to children. Its preparation is based on the crosslinking of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate or starch with boric acid. Objectives: The goal of this study was to describe the adverse effects of Slime. Materials and methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study of cases of exposure reported to French Poison Control Centres between January 2014 and May 2018. The following parameters were used: age and sex, date and circumstances of exposure, symptoms and severity. Results: Two hundred and eight (208) cases of exposure were recorded, 93 cases happened in 2017, and 88 cases in the first four and a half months of 2018. The average age was of 8 years old; 190 patients were younger than 15. Fifty-seven percent (57%) were female. Regarding routes of exposure, 168 were oral, 30 cutaneous, eight ocular, one inhalation and one ear exposure. Eighty-two (82) patients were symptomatic, including 81 cases of low severity and one of average severity (keratitis). All cases lead to recovery. Conclusion: No significant adverse health effects are expected to develop if only small amounts are swallowed; making Slime with home ingredients is a potential cause of boric acid exposure that must be supervised by adults.

Language: en

Keywords

Slime; child; dermatitis contact; play and playthings; poisoning