Child Hospitalized For Seizures : Report Says Aerosol Sprays Can Be Toxic

Children can suffer toxic reactions from the gaseous propellants used in common aerosol spray cans, medical researchers report in a new study.

“Aerosol cans should not be easily accessible to children, and consumers need to be aware of the potential dangers,” the researchers said in an article published in today’s Journal of the American Medical Assn.

The researchers, from the University of Cincinnati Hospital and Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, reported on the case of a 2-year-old girl hospitalized for seizures and irregular heartbeat after playing with a can of aerosol deodorant.

Drug Treatment

The girl survived, but required seven days of hospitalization and was placed on drug treatment for three months.

“To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of a human toxic reaction to these ‘safer’ propellants,” the researchers said.

The propellants in the product were considered safe since they did not include Freon, a chemical banned since 1978 in aerosol products after its use was linked to deaths due to inhalation.

Contained Isobutane

The deodorant from the spray to which the 2-year-old girl was exposed contained substances including isobutane, propane and butane, the researchers said.

They said there is evidence from research tests on animals to indicate that isobutane and propane can be toxic to the heart and central nervous systems.

“We conclude that unintentional exposure to non-Freon aerosol propellants in a non-confined space can be hazardous to children,” the researchers said.

Dr. Suman Wason, a member of the emergency department at Children’s Hospital, was principal author of the article.