Lamp oil poisoning: did the European guideline reduce the number and severity of intoxications?
BACKGROUND
In 1997, a European guideline concerning the viscosity and surface tension of lamp oil was adopted to reduce instances and severity of lamp oil intoxications. In 2005, the Dutch National Poisons Information Centre investigated lamp oil intoxications to determine whether they differed in severity from the intoxications reported before the guideline was adopted.


METHODS
We compared the data prospectively collected on lamp oil intoxications reported to our center in 2005 and in 1996.


RESULTS
In 2005 and 1996, respectively 152 and 165 cases were included. The frequency of the symptoms and diagnosed pneumonitis did not differ significantly between those years. In 2005, ingestion of a transparent lamp oil seemed to be associated with a greater risk of serious respiratory symptoms than ingestion of colored oil.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the directive, frequency and severity of symptoms of lamp oil ingestions remain disturbing. Consequently, further actions concerning packaging and labeling of lamp oil, design of oil lamps, education of parents, and additions to the current guideline should be considered.
Van Gorcum
Teetske Frouke
TF
National Poisons Information Centre, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Hunault
Claudine C
CC
Van Zoelen
Gerard A
GA
De Vries
Irma
I
Meulenbelt
Jan
J
D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005648:Fuel Oils / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000592:standards; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011356:Product Labeling; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013500:Surface Tension; D014783:Viscosity
D005648:Fuel Oils