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Extremely elevated relative risk of paraffin lamp oil exposures in Orthodox Jewish children
Robert J Hoffman1, Solomon Morgenstern, Robert S Hoffman
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, New York 10016, USA. rjhoffman@pol.net
Insights
Orthodox Jewish children have a significantly higher risk of paraffin lamp oil ingestion, especially during religious holidays. Increased awareness and education are crucial for preventing these pediatric exposures.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Public Health
- Chemical Safety
Background:
- Paraffin lamp oil is used for lighting during religious observances by some Orthodox Jewish families.
- Pediatric exposure, primarily through ingestion, poses a risk of aspiration and pneumonitis.
- A regional poison control center noted a potential increase in exposures during the Jewish Sabbath.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the frequency of paraffin lamp oil exposures in children.
- To determine if exposures are more common during the Jewish Sabbath and religious holidays.
- To assess the risk factors associated with pediatric paraffin lamp oil ingestion.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of paraffin lamp oil exposure cases in children (<18 years) reported to a poison control center (Jan 2000 - Feb 2003).
- Investigation of case reports to identify occurrences during Jewish Sabbath and holidays.
- Telephone surveys of caregivers to ascertain child's religion and exposure circumstances.
Main Results:
- 45 pediatric ingestion cases were identified.
- Orthodox Jewish children accounted for 71% of cases.
- 53% of exposures occurred within 10 hours before or during the Jewish Sabbath or holidays, with a relative risk 374 times higher for Orthodox Jewish children.
Conclusions:
- A significantly elevated risk of paraffin lamp oil ingestion exists for Orthodox Jewish children during religious periods.
- Public health awareness and targeted educational initiatives are necessary for caregivers and the general public.
- Preventive measures should focus on reducing pediatric exposure to paraffin lamp oil in at-risk communities.
Background:
In observance of the Sabbath and other religious holidays, many Orthodox Jews maintain a burning lamp that uses paraffin lamp oil as fuel. Unintentional pediatric exposure to paraffin lamp oil, a hydrocarbon, is typically by ingestion and carries a risk of aspiration with subsequent pneumonitis. This investigation was prompted by an apparent increase in paraffin lamp oil exposures during the Jewish Sabbath, from sunset Friday until sunset Saturday, noted by the staff of our regional poison control center.
Objective:
In this investigation, we retrospectively reviewed all exposures to paraffin lamp oil occurring in our large city in children <18 years old reported to our regional poison control center between January 1, 2000, and February 1, 2003. Reports were investigated to ascertain the frequency of occurrence of paraffin lamp oil exposures on the Jewish Sabbath and Jewish religious holidays. Caregivers of involved children were surveyed by telephone to determine the exposed child's religion and circumstances of exposure.
Results:
During these 25 months, 45 cases met inclusion criteria, and all were ingestions. Orthodox Jews accounted for 32 cases (71%), 4 cases (9%) occurred in children who were not Orthodox Jews, and demographic data were unavailable in 9 cases (20%). Twenty-four cases (53%) occurred within 10 hours before or during the Jewish Sabbath or Jewish religious holidays. The relative risk of Orthodox Jewish children to ingest paraffin lamp oil, calculated by using census data, is 374 times that of other children.
Conclusions:
Public health authorities and caregivers of Orthodox Jewish children should be cognizant of this phenomenon. Educational efforts directed toward both Orthodox Jews and the general public aimed at preventing paraffin lamp oil exposures are warranted.
