What is nicotine poisoning?
Nicotine poisoning refers to the toxic effects of consuming nicotine. Nicotine poisoning is the result of having too much nicotine in your body. Until recently, nicotine poisoning was rare. Most cases resulted from the use of nicotine as an insecticide, accidental ingestion of tobacco or ingestion of nicotine-containing plants.
Today, nicotine poisoning has become a growing concern because of new nicotine products on the market, particularly electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and pure liquid nicotine. The concentration of nicotine in liquid products is higher than most other tobacco products.
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Where is nicotine found?
Nicotine is a natural toxic substance found in tobacco products. It’s also the chemical that makes tobacco products addictive. Nicotine is found in cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipe tobacco, tobacco plants, some insecticides (no longer in the U.S.), and in nicotine replacement products (nicotine gum, patches, lozenges, inhalers and nasal spray).
Who does nicotine poisoning mostly affect?
Nicotine poisoning can affect anyone of any age. However, the greatest risk of nicotine poisoning is in children because of their lower body weight and smaller size.
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How is someone exposed to the effects of nicotine?
Nicotine can enter the body through:
- Absorption through your skin, if nicotine is in liquid form and spilled on the skin or touched.
- Inhalation into your lungs, from smoked products and electronic cigarettes.
- Ingestion and absorption through the mucous membrane of your mouth (from tobacco chew products or liquid nicotine) or through the intestines (after accidental swallowing of e-cigarette refill products or drinking liquid nicotine).
What is a lethal dose of nicotine?
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the lethal dose of inhaled nicotine is 50 to 60 mg/kg in a 70-kg adult (154 pounds).
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Can a person overdose on nicotine from smoking alone?
It’s unlikely; however, it’s not impossible. There’s been one case report where two brothers smoked 17 and 18 pipes of tobacco in a row and were fatally poisoned.
Children may become ill after eating one cigarette. Eating more cigarettes may make a child severely ill.
Why are e-cigarettes dangerous?
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are devices made to resemble cigarettes. They contain a battery, heater and liquid nicotine. When heated, the nicotine becomes a vapor, which users inhale.
With these products, it’s the liquid nicotine that can be dangerous, especially to children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, as little as one teaspoon of liquid nicotine can be fatal to a 26-pound child. Even liquid nicotine spilled on the skin can be poisonous within minutes.
Liquid refills are sold in quantities of 10 mL to more than 30 mL (about two to six teaspoons) in a variety of nicotine strengths. The products come in flavors with attractive scents and inviting packaging. If you purchase e-cigarettes and nicotine refill products, store them out of reach of your children and pets.
