Sofia Martinez
Plastic bags are a common household item, but they can pose a serious risk of suffocation, especially to children. The risk arises when a plastic bag covers the mouth and nose, blocking airflow and making breathing impossible. This has led to tragic incidents, with some reports specifically citing suffocation by plastic bags as the cause of death. As a result, warnings about the suffocation risk associated with plastic bags are now commonly found on packaging, particularly in the US, Canada, and the EU, where legislation mandates such warnings for bags of a certain thickness. These warnings are crucial, as they help raise awareness and prevent accidental suffocation, especially in children who may play with plastic bags without understanding the danger.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags can cause suffocation | Yes |
| Plastic bags can be used for suicide | Yes |
| Plastic bags can be used for homicide | Yes |
| Plastic bags can be dangerous for children | Yes |
| Plastic bags can be dangerous for children under 6 months old | Yes |
| Plastic bags with perforations can reduce the risk of suffocation | Yes |
| Plastic bags with a perimeter larger than 360 mm can be dangerous for children | Yes |
| Plastic bags without perforations and with a perimeter larger than 360 mm should not have a drawstring | Yes |
| Plastic films larger than 100 by 100 mm can cover the mouth and face | Yes |
| Thin plastic bags can be moulded to a child's face | Yes |
| Plastic bags that are 1 mil or less in thickness should have a suffocation warning | Yes |
| Amazon and US-based regulations require warnings to be in English | Yes |
| Quebec requires French warnings | Yes |
| EU countries require warnings in multiple languages | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags are commonly used in suicide and homicide
Plastic bags are sometimes used as a method of suicide and homicide. While suffocation by plastic bag is not common, it can be challenging to diagnose, particularly when combined with other methods like inert gas inhalation or drug intake. The presence of a plastic bag at the scene of death can be diagnostically valuable to a pathologist, who may otherwise struggle to determine the cause of death.
Plastic bags have been used in suicide since at least the 1990s, often in conjunction with the inhalation of inert gases like helium or nitrogen. This method was popularised by right-to-die advocates like Derek Humphry, who described it in his book *Final Exit*. Suicide kits containing nitrogen tanks and regulators are also sold by organisations like Nitschke, who calls this method of death a "hypoxic death". This method is also favoured because it can make the direct cause of death difficult to trace if the bag and gas canister are removed before a post-mortem examination.
In some cases, plastic bags have been used in homicide cases. For example, one source mentions a case where a victim placed a towel soaked in ether inside a plastic bag before putting their head in it. The victim had been searching for ways to commit suicide on the internet, but no suicide note was found.
Plastic bags can also pose a risk of accidental death, particularly among children who put their heads inside the bags, and adults practicing autoerotic activities.
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Plastic bags are dangerous for children
Plastic bags can be extremely dangerous for children, primarily due to the risk of suffocation. The risk is so well-known that many countries and companies have legislation and warnings on their packaging to alert consumers to the danger. Warnings such as "WARNING. Keep this plastic bag or film away from children to avoid suffocation" are commonplace.
The risk arises because plastic does not allow air to pass through, meaning breathing becomes impossible. Thin plastics are particularly dangerous as they mould easily to a child's face, covering their mouth and nose. Statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that children as young as 3 months old have a head perimeter of 375 mm, which increases to 400 mm by 6 months of age. This means that even very young babies can pull a plastic bag over their head, accidentally or during play, and suffocate.
The addition of perforations to plastic bags can significantly reduce the risk of suffocation by allowing air to pass through. CEN/TR 13387-3 recommends 'perforations with 6 mm diameter holes so that a minimum of 1% of the area has been removed over any area of 30 mm by 30 mm'. This standard also suggests that plastic bags with an opening perimeter smaller than 360 mm will not fit over the heads of children aged 6 months or younger, and therefore do not pose the same level of risk.
The dangers of plastic bags to children are well-documented, and it is important that consumers are aware of the risks and take appropriate precautions to keep children safe.
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Plastic bags without perforations are more dangerous
Plastic bags can be dangerous, and there have been recorded instances of people dying from suffocation caused by plastic bags. However, it is not a common occurrence. The risk of suffocation is higher with thin plastics as they can easily mould to a child's face, covering their mouth and nose. Plastic bags without perforations are more dangerous as they do not let air through, making breathing impossible. Perforations in the plastic allow air to pass through, significantly reducing the risk of suffocation. CEN/TR 13387-3 recommends perforations with 6 mm diameter holes so that a minimum of 1% of the area has been removed over any area of 30 mm by 30 mm.
Plastic bags without perforations that have an opening perimeter larger than 360 mm should not have a drawstring or cord as a means of closing. This is because the tightening of the cord may cause suffocation or strangulation. It is important to keep plastic bags away from children to avoid the risk of suffocation. Warnings on plastic bags are required by legislation in some places, such as Canada and certain states and cities in the USA. These warnings typically advise keeping the bags away from babies and children and not using them in cribs, beds, carriages, or playpens.
The presence of suffocation warnings on some plastic bags and not others may be due to a few lawsuits and settlements rather than a single high-profile lawsuit. The warnings are also more common on packaging bags than shopping bags, possibly because people are now more familiar with the risks of plastic bags and companies are taking measures to reduce the number of lawsuits and settlements. Additionally, thicker plastic bags may not be required to have suffocation warnings in some places, such as bags thicker than 1 mil in certain states and cities in the USA.
Overall, it is important to exercise caution when using plastic bags, especially those without perforations, to prevent the risk of suffocation, especially in children.
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Warnings are required on some plastic bags
Plastic bags can cause suffocation, although it is not a common occurrence. Some plastic bags are required by law to feature a suffocation warning, depending on the state or country. For example, in the US, California, New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Rhode Island mandate that certain types of plastic bags must carry a warning. These include bags used to package and deliver products to customers in California and bags designed to be used in a domestic setting in New York and Massachusetts.
The exact repercussions for not including a warning vary by state. In Virginia, violators are "guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor," which can result in a fine of up to $500. Rhode Island has a similar fine of up to $100 for non-compliance.
The specific warning message may also differ depending on the state or country's regulations. A common warning message is, "Warning: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this bag away from babies and children. Do not use this bag in cribs, beds, carriages, or playpens. This bag is not a toy."
The requirement for suffocation warnings on plastic bags is likely due to the risk they pose to small children who may place the bag over their head and be unable to remove it. This has resulted in deaths, leading companies to add warning labels to their products. However, the specific history behind these warnings is not always clear, and there may be a combination of factors, including lawsuits, settlements, and changes in regulations, that have contributed to the inclusion of these warnings.
It is important to note that not all plastic bags are required to have suffocation warnings, and the regulations can vary by jurisdiction. For example, in the US, bags used for dropshipping from websites like Aliexpress.com often do not have US bag suffocation warning labels, which can create issues for dropshippers selling products within the United States.
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Plastic bags can cause accidental suffocation
The warning "This bag is not a toy. It can cause suffocation" is commonly found on plastic bags to alert consumers to this danger. Some sources suggest that these warnings are a result of lawsuits or settlements, as companies aim to reduce liability and associated costs. However, the exact reason for the warnings is unclear, and they are not present on all plastic bags.
To mitigate the risk of suffocation, some sources recommend adding perforations to plastic bags. CEN/TR 13387-3 suggests perforations with 6 mm diameter holes, ensuring that a minimum of 1% of the bag's area is removed over any 30 mm by 30 mm section. This allows air to pass through the bag, reducing the risk of accidental suffocation.
While plastic bags can pose a suffocation hazard, it is important to note that such incidents are not common. However, the presence of a plastic bag at the scene of death can provide valuable diagnostic information to pathologists investigating the cause of death.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic bags can cause suffocation as they do not let air through, making breathing impossible.
Plastic bags that are 1 mil or less in thickness are required by law to have suffocation warnings. Warnings must be clear, legible, and mention the hazard. They are also required to be translated into the regional language(s).
Yes, there are laws and regulations regarding the use and disposal of plastic bags. For example, in the US, the warning "To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this plastic bag away from babies and children" is commonly used.
The risk of suffocation can be reduced by adding perforations to the plastic bag, allowing air to pass through. It is also important to keep plastic bags away from children and babies, as they may accidentally pull the bag over their heads during play or while crawling.
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