Poisoning by the Volatile Oils in Childhood

Abstract

The volatile oils play an important part in accidental poisoning in childhood, as can be seen from the figures quoted in a recent review (Craig and Fraser, 1953). The purpose of the present paper is to draw attention to the dangers of this form of poisoning, on which the recent literature is scanty, to suggest measures for its treatment and control, and to consider any points which may be applicable to the wider field of poisoning as a whole.Craig and Fraser showed that, of 502 cases of accidental poisoning in childhood which had occurred in Edinburgh and Aberdeen between 1931 and 1951, the common toxic agents were volatile oils in 74 cases, household disinfectants in 39, barbiturates in 36, kerosene in 31 and iron in 24. The group of acids and alkalies caused only 11 cases. Of 454 deaths from accidental poisoning in childhood which had occurred in Britain during a similar period, 54 were caused by the volatile oils, the next commonest being strychnine in 41, acids and alkalies in 39, iron in 31 and disinfectants in 28. Only 10 deaths were due to barbiturate poisoning. That the volatile oils should top both the morbidity and mortality figures is surprising, considering the relatively slight attention which has been paid to this group.AThe 74 cases seen in hospital were made up of cam-phor 29, turpentine 25, sassafras 5, eucalyptus 4, methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) 3, others 8. The 54 deaths were due to methyl salicylate 36, camphor 12. turpentine 2, eucalyptus 1, others 3. MaterialThe present paper is based on the 74 cases of poisoning mentioned above. In 24 of these the records are either missing or so exiguous that analysis is unwarranted. The remaining 50 cases are otherwise unselected. Many of them are mild, but even these can contribute information on such points as the mode of ingestion and the first aid that was carried out.

Camphor Poisoning: an Evidence-Based Practice Guideline for Out-of-Hospital Management

“…However, she had been found in bed lying in her vomitus at approximately 5 hours after the estimated time of ingestion; the time of onset of the first symptoms is unknown (50). In a case series of 19 patients (level 4), the onset of effects occurred up to 125 minutes after ingestion (15). A 3-week-old infant died suddenly and unpredictably of a cyanotic attack 43 hours after ingesting 1 teaspoonful of camphorated oil.…”

“…Generalized tonic-clonic convulsions are often the first sign of significant toxicity and can occur soon after ingestion (8)(9)(10)(11). Central nervous system depression is commonly seen, as are headache, dizziness, confusion, agitation, anxiety, hallucinations, myoclonus, and hyperreflexia (6,7,(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18). Death is usually the result of respiratory failure or convulsions (6,12,19,20).…”

“…Among those with dose-effect information, were three level 4 case series (8,15,42) and 14 individual cases reported in nine level 4 articles (12,20,(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49). In several cases, ingestion of 5 mL of camphorated oil was associated with severe toxicity, including death, in children ranging from 3 weeks to 4 years of age (15,43,(45)(46)(47)49). A 5-mL dose represents approximately 1000 mg camphor (50-225 mg/kg).…”

Turpentine [MAK Value Documentation, 2002]

“…Mostly children were involved (Beamon et al 1976, Craig 1953, Melis et al 1990). Symptoms of intoxication can include a burning sensation in the mouth, throat and stomach, thirst, nausea, weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, spasms and coma (Pande et al 1994).…”

Spectral and fractal characteristics of rat brain electrical activity after acute camphor tree essential oil administration

“…Poznato je da kamfor ima epileptična svojstva. Kamfor je poznat po svojoj toksičnosti čak i u malim dozama naročito među decom (Craig, 1953;Love i sar., 2004;Guilbert i sar., 2007). Postoje izveštaji o pojavi konvulzija kod dece koja su bila izložena kozmetičkim balzamima koji su sadržali terpene, a među njima i kamfor (Laribiere i sar., 2004).…”