Glass Thermometers Still A Safety Hazard

Review of emergency room data shows broken glass is a risk in addition to
mercury

BOSTON, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A study by emergency physicians at
Children's Hospital Boston provides a wake-up call to parents to get rid of
their old glass thermometers. A 12-year review of patients seen in Children's
emergency department (ED) shows that glass thermometers pose one more safety
hazard in addition to mercury exposure: injuries from broken glass.

Moreover, the incidence of glass thermometer injuries has only decreased
minimally despite bans on mercury-containing glass thermometers in several
states, including Massachusetts.

"Just because glass thermometers are not sold doesn't mean people don't have
them in their homes," says co-author Lois Lee, MD, MPH, of Children's Division
of Emergency Medicine, who also directs the hospital's Injury Prevention
Program. "They may not realize what the dangers are."

Researchers reviewed records from Children's ED from October 1995 to October
2007. During this period, the ED saw 33 patients with glass
thermometer-related injuries, approximately one to six injuries per year
(including three in 2007, despite the 2002 ban in Massachusetts). The findings
are detailed in the October issue of Pediatric Emergency Care.

Out of all the patients treated:

-- 84 percent had broken glass injuries to their mouth or rectum
-- 66 percent required imaging procedures for a potential foreign object
-- 42 percent were exposed to mercury
-- about 80 percent were younger than 4 years
-- despite repeated warnings and legislation, glass thermometer-related
injuries decreased by less than 9 percent annually.

Amir Kimia, MD, of Children's Division of Emergency Medicine, the study's
senior investigator, acknowledges that the numbers are small, but notes that
these injuries are unnecessary and may require imaging to locate the glass,
sometimes exposing children to radiation in the genital area if a rectal
thermometer was used.

Though glass thermometers containing mercury may be more accurate than other
kinds of thermometers, health professionals have recommended against their use
once they recognized mercury as a risk. However, an unknown number of
households that still have mercury thermometers have not discarded them.
Meanwhile, several manufacturers have replaced the mercury in their glass
thermometers with a non-toxic alternative, which still makes the thermometers
a broken glass hazard despite making them mercury-free.

The authors of the study suggest that pediatricians discuss safer, non-glass
thermometers with parents as part of well-child appointments or while talking
about fever management. If parents are still insistent on using the most
accurate thermometers, pediatricians should be prepared to discuss the
different thermometers readily available. The difference in temperature
readings is often within tenths of a degree - too small to justify exposing
children to the risk of the thermometer breaking. "In reality, we don't need
that degree of accuracy," Kimia says.

"Hospitals are using digital thermometers, which don't contain glass, in their
standard care," Lee adds. "They're accurate as well as being faster and
therefore, easier to use, particularly in the younger children."

Nadine Aprahamian, MD, of Children's Division of Emergency Medicine was the
first author of the study, titled "Glass Thermometer Injuries: It is Not Just
About the Mercury."

Children's Hospital Boston is home to the world's largest research enterprise
based at a pediatric medical center, where its discoveries have benefited both
children and adults since 1869. More than 500 scientists, including eight
members of the National Academy of Sciences, 13 members of the Institute of
Medicine and 12 members of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute comprise
Children's research community. Founded as a 20-bed hospital for children,
Children's Hospital Boston today is a 396-bed comprehensive center for
pediatric and adolescent health care grounded in the values of excellence in
patient care and sensitivity to the complex needs and diversity of children
and families. Children's also is the primary pediatric teaching affiliate of
Harvard Medical School. For more information about the hospital and its
research visit: www.childrenshospital.org/newsroom.

CONTACT:
Keri Stedman
Children's Hospital Boston
617-919-3110
keri.stedman@childrens.harvard.edu

SOURCE Children's Hospital Boston

Keri Stedman of Children's Hospital Boston, +1-617-919-3110,
keri.stedman@childrens.harvard.edu