The parents of Giorgia Green, who died in May 2022, are asking for packaging with more obvious warnings about the risks of aerosol deodorants.
Parents of a girl who died after inhaling aerosol deodorant are calling for clearer labeling to warn people of potential dangers.
Giorgia Green, 14, a resident of Derby, England, went into cardiac arrest after spraying deodorant in her bedroom in 2022.
Since then, their parents have learned of other young people who have accidentally died after inhaling the deodorant.
The British Association of Aerosol Manufacturers (Bama, for its acronym in English) claims that deodorants have “very clear warnings”.
In the UK, aerosol deodorants must have a ‘keep out of the reach of children’ warning printed on the packaging.
In Brazil, a law passed in 1976 already prohibited the sale in the form of aerosols of products intended for use by children – in 2015 a new law added a paragraph establishing that products for use by children “must have labeling characteristics and packaging that allow for immediate and precise distinction from those intended for use by adults”.
The report awaits information from the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) for more details on the rules in Brazil.
Giorgia’s parents say that in the UK the notice is currently in very small print and that many parents have to buy deodorants for their children without realizing it.
“People don’t know how dangerous the contents of these cans can be,” says Giorgia’s father Paul. “I wish no one else in the country – or the world – went through what we went through.”
“We don’t want our daughter’s death to be in vain.”
They defend that the deodorants come with a warning that the product “can kill instantly” and claim their daughter has not abused the item.
Giorgia was autistic and her father says she liked spraying deodorant on the blankets because she found the smell comforting.
“The smell gave her a certain sense of relaxation,” says Paul Green. “If she was feeling a little anxious, she would spray deodorant and that gave her comfort because it was the deodorant my wife used.”
Giorgia’s older brother found her unconscious in her bedroom on May 11, 2022.
“His door was open, so it wasn’t closed in,” says the father. “The exact amount [de desodorante inalada] It’s not clear, but it would be more than a person would normally use.”
“At one point, her heart stopped after the inhalations.”
An inquest into Giorgia’s death was conducted and investigators concluded that it was an accident. The medical cause of death was recorded as “undetermined but consistent with aerosol inhalation”.
According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics (ONS), the word “deodorant” was mentioned on 11 death certificates between 2001 and 2020. However, the actual number of deaths from this cause is likely to be higher , as certain substances are not always mentioned in the death certificates.
Giorgia’s death certificate, for example, mentioned “inhalation of aerosol” instead of “deodorant.”
Butane, the main propellant in Giorgia deodorant, was implicated in 324 deaths between 2001 and 2020. Propane and isobutane, also present in Giorgia deodorant, were mentioned in 123 and 38 deaths, respectively.
The ONS said the substances have been linked to several deaths, adding: “Inhalation of butane or propane gas can lead to heart failure.”
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) says several people have already died after excessive activation of the spray of deodorants.
‘common misconception’
Ashley Martin, public health advisor at RoSPA, says: “It’s easy to assume they’re completely safe and completely risk-free. The truth is, they’re not.”
“Inhaling large quantities of aerosols, not just deodorants, can lead to a variety of life-threatening scenarios: from fainting and difficulty breathing to changes in heart rhythm and, unfortunately, death.”
“There is a common misconception that deaths from aerosols only occur in a context of substance abuse, but this is not true.”
“We have seen a number of deaths in recent years where children and young adults overmist aerosols, from teenagers concerned about body odor to children seeking comfort in familiar smells.”
Giorgia’s parents say they have found some of these cases through their own research. One was 12-year-old Daniel Hurley, also from Derbyshire, who collapsed and died after spraying deodorant in a bathroom.
“It was 2008, but my daughter died in 2022,” says Green. “Awareness on the subject is not enough.”
More recently, 13-year-old Jack Waple died in similar circumstances to Giorgia, in 2019. The investigation came to the information that the teenager sprayed deodorant when she felt anxious when her mother left the house, as the smell reminded him of her.
– This text was published in https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/geral-64421036
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
