Friday, March 19, 1999
Butts, nicotine products can sicken children, pets
BY CINDY KRANZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Besides being unsightly, cigarette butts can be toxic to toddlers and pets.
The most normal reaction is vomiting, says Dr. Karen Krummen, manager of the Cincinnati Drug & Poison Information Center.
“If a large enough amount is ingested, initially you'd see stimulation, which includes being irritable and jerking of limbs. It's possible the heart rate and blood pressure could go up. Seizures are unlikely with cigarettes, but if somebody had enough, it would be possible.”
The high is followed by drowsiness.
“If a child has three butts or more, that's enough to cause symptoms in about 90 percent of kids,” Dr. Krummen says. “Some children do need to go to the hospital. It really depends on how much they get.”
Besides cigarette butts, tod dlers are at risk for grabbing nicotine gum, nicotine patches or chewing tobacco.
In 1997, the poison information center logged 97 exposures to cigarettes. Ninety of those cases were children age 6 years and under. Twenty-two of the 97 persons had to be treated for minor effects. It's rare to see serious symptoms, Dr. Krummen says, but the potential exists.
“Be aware that nicotine is in the cigarette and cigarette butt, which people don't think about. Those things need to be kept out of reach of children.”
Not to mention cats and dogs, whose symptoms can mimic those of small children.
The Cincinnati Drug & Poison Information Center is a 24-hour hot line service providing information on poisons, toxic substances, prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs. If you suspect a child has ingested nicotine or have questions about the effects of nicotine on children, call 558-5111.
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