Glitter Lung: Crafting Supply's Deadly Secret

A young child's accidental inhalation of fine glitter resulted in severe medical complications, prompting doctors to call for increased regulation of crafting supplies. The 3-year-old girl experienced respiratory distress, subcutaneous emphysema, and pneumothorax after inhaling a significant amount of glitter dust.

Doctors discovered that most glitter is made from bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, along with zinc, which is severely toxic if ingested by children. Copper and zinc, while essential minerals, become harmful in this processed form, potentially causing significant oxidative damage.

This incident is not isolated; a 4-year-old developed metal pneumonitis from edible cake dust in 2024, and a 15-month-old suffered copper poisoning from glitter ingestion in 2022. The FDA has warned against using non-edible glitters on food.

Following her recovery, the 3-year-old developed bronchiectasis, a condition that can lead to recurrent infections. Doctors emphasize the difference between ultra-fine glitter, which can be absorbed into the bloodstream, and larger particles. They are urging restrictions on ultra-fine glitter, commonly found in paints, cosmetics, and craft items, suggesting it should not be accessible to children under 14.