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CPSC Issues Warning: Liquid Nicotine Can Be Deadly for Children and Pets

Release Date: October 24, 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns consumers that even small amounts of liquid nicotine can be extremely hazardous to children and pets who swallow it or come into contact with it through their skin. Parents and caregivers should always store liquid nicotine in its child-resistant packaging, tightly seal the container after each use, and keep it locked up and away from children and pets. When handling solutions containing liquid nicotine, adults should also be careful to minimize direct skin contact. Liquid nicotine is commonly used in e-cigarettes and is available to consumers in a variety of stores and online.

Consumers should treat liquid nicotine like any other potentially toxic substance. If a child or pet swallows liquid nicotine, or gets any amount on their skin or eyes, immediately call the Poison Control Center Hotline at: 1-800-222-1222.

Consumers who may have purchased liquid nicotine in bottles that lack child-resistant packaging features should contact CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov so that the agency can take appropriate steps with the manufacturer or retailer.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers liquid nicotine to be a household hazardous waste product that is regulated on the state and local level. For resources about proper hazardous waste disposal, consumers should go to www.epa.gov/hw.

Release Number
20-012

About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years. 

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.

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