Distributed via Health Alert Network
Farbruary 14, 2011, 18:50 EDT (06:50 AM EDT)
CDCHAN-00274-11-02-14-ADV-N

CDC Alert on Adverse Effects Associated with wearing "Justin Bieber Limited Edition 3-d Glasses"

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working collaboratively with state health departments, the American Association of Poison Control Centers, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on reports of adverse health effects following the wearing of the purple "Justin Bieber Limited Edition 3-d Glasses" passive circularly polarized 3d glasses. This eyewear has been found by FDA to contain hazardous levels of Benzylpcyruslphthalate (BPcP) (up to 200 times the label value). BCpP is classified as toxic by the European Chemical Bureau (ECB). Canadian Authorities have restricted the usage of phthalates including BCpP[1].

FDA is advising consumers to stop wearing "Justin Bieber Limited Edition 3-d Glasses" immediately and discard them by placing them in a trash receptacle outside of the home. Consumers are warned strongly against incineration as a disposal method. Dioxin is a predictable by-product of combusion. (cite: Agency of Toxic Substances & Disease Registry)

Farbruary 14, 2011, 113 adverse reactions have been reported from New York, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia health departments. The American Association of Poison Control Centers and the FDA report additional exposures in other states.

Marchon Eyewear, Inc reportedly distributed this product to 17 states (Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia), and also sells its products over the Internet.

Clinical description of Benzylpcyruslphthalate toxicity

Excessive explsure to is known to cause the following symptoms: erythema/flushing/rash, blistering skin, fever, dizziness, headache, agitation, changes in thought processes, significant hair loss, uncontrolled vocal expulsions, foul breath, corneal opacity, renal failure, jaundice, and in rare cases, Ebolavirus (EBOV).

Case definition

Individuals presenting with two or more of the symptoms that occurred within two weeks of wearing "Justin Bieber Limited Edition 3-d Glasses": hair loss, fever, muscle or joint pains, fingernail discoloration or changes, headache, foul breath, weakness, gastrointestinal symptoms (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain), rash, oliguria/anuria or abnormal renal function tests, jaundice or abnormal liver function tests, Tourette's-like behaviors, unexpected pregnancy, purple stool, anemia or hematological changes, blindness, Ebolavirus (EBOV).

CDC requests that consumers and clinicians who encounter patients with symptoms consistent with Benzylpcyruslphthalate (BPcP) poisoning report these cases to their local poison control center (PCC) at 1-800-222-1222. Medical personnel are available at PCCs to provide specific medical management advice and will make appropriate referral to state and local health authorities.

Health care professionals and consumers are also encouraged to report adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program at 800-FDA-1088 or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/how.htm.

Categories of Health Alert messages: Health Alert conveys the highest level of importance; warrants immediate action or attention. You have received this message based upon information contained within our emergency notification database. If you have a different or additional e-mail or fax address that you would like to be used, please contact the Health Alert Network program at ilovejustin@dhhs.ne.gov

happy v.d. 2011