The parents of a 14-year-old British girl who died after inhaling aerosol deodorant want clearer product labelling to warn people of the potential dangers, saying they have since been made aware of other youngsters who have also accidentally died from the inhalation of deodorant.
Giorgia Green (14) had a cardiac arrest after spraying the deodorant in her bedroom: her father Paul said she liked to spray deodorant on blankets as she found the smell comforting, reports the BBC.
“The smell of it gave her a certain sense of relaxation,” he said, “and if she ever felt a bit anxious, she would spray it in her room…it comforted her.”
Giorgia's older brother found her unresponsive in her bedroom on 11 May 2022.
An inquest into her death saw the coroner record the conclusion as misadventure, the medical cause of death being “unascertained but consistent with inhalation of aerosol”.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), “deodorant” was mentioned on 11 death certificates between 2001 and 2020.
However, the actual number of deaths is likely to be higher than this, due to the fact that specific substances are not always mentioned on death certificates.
Butane, the main ingredient in Giorgia’s deodorant, was recorded as having been involved in 324 deaths between 2001 and 2020. Propane and isobutene, also in her deodorant, were mentioned in 123 and 38 deaths respectively.
In response, the British Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (BAMA) said deodorants have “very clear warnings”. By law, aerosol deodorants must be printed with the warning “keep out of reach of children”.
However, the Greens said the writing was small and believe many parents buy deodorant for their children without noticing the warning.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) said a number of people had died after over-spraying deodorants.
Ashley Martin, public health adviser at RoSPA, said: “It’s easy to assume they are completely safe and totally free from risk. The truth is they’re not. Inhaling large quantities of aerosols, not just deodorants, can lead to a whole host of life-endangering scenarios – from blackouts and breathing difficulties, to heart rhythm changes and sadly, death.”
BBC article – Dad’s warning after girl, 14, dies from inhaling deodorant (Open access)
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