All four patients were poisoned from oil from the same type of lamp that has a central oil reservoir in which a wick is placed. Because of the poisoning of these four children, a series of local radio and television public service announcements was aired in an attempt to prevent further occurrences. Petroleum distillates, a group of hydrocarbon-based chemicals refined from crude oil, include gasoline, kerosene, mineral spirits, and paraffin. Lamp oil consists of a combination of petroleum distillates that differ by manufacturer. In 1996, the regional poison-control center in Columbus, Ohio, reported 95 lamp oil ingestions.
Ingestion is the most common route of exposure to hydrocarbons, including lamp oil.
The viscosity of the oil is an important property because it relates directly to the risk for pulmonary aspiration. Among these, the most serious damage occurs to the pulmonary system. However, lamp oil is usually sold in separate prepackaged containers with child-resistant packaging, and the oil is later transferred to fuel lamps. The CPSC regulates products in their original containers and has not promulgated child-resistant packaging requirements for fuel lamps unless the lamp is sold containing the fuel. The CPSC is exploring additional measures to help avoid these ingestions.