Are Glow Bracelets Toxic?

Glow sticks, necklaces and bracelets contain the chemical dibutyl phthalate.

Parents may wonder whether glow bracelets, necklaces and glow sticks are toxic or safe. These novelty toys derive their luminescence from dibutyl phthalate, a chemical commonly used in or released by the manufacture of perfumes, plastics, inks, dyes and resins.

Toxicity

According to the Poison Control Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, dibutyl phthalate is an irritant, not a toxin. In a 2002 study in "Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine," Hoffman, Nelson and Hoffman report exposure to the glow stick chemical causes only rare, minor and temporary symptoms.

Exposure

For skin exposure to glow stick liquid, rinse with water for 15 minutes, then wash with soap and water. For eyes, rinse with water for 15 minutes. If ingested, rinse mouth with water first, then drink a cool beverage.

Prevention

Bend the product gently and keep it away from the mouth. Hoffman reports cases of mild, temporary symptoms from ingesting liquid or swallowing glow sticks. For additional guidance, call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or a local poison control center.

References

• The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: The Poison Control Center
• PubMed: Pediatric and Young Adult Exposure to Chemiluminescent Glow Sticks
• U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration: Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Dibutyl Phthalate

Resources

• American Association of Poison Control Centers: Find Local Poison Centers
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Homepage
• Recalls: Your Online Resource for Recalls