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What Are The Negative Effects For Inhaling Burnt Plastic Fumes?
Question: Hi doctor ive been recently smoking weed out a hollowed out mechanical pencil with tinfoil wrapped around part of it and the bent upwards at the end of the plastic pen as a bowl to smoke the weed out, well today i just took of the tinfoil to see if any of the plastic was burning cause every time i smoked it, it would get pretty hot, and what i found was that yes it was the end of the plastic pencil it was all melted like a lot, so im kinda scared that it caused damage cause everyone knows how bad that is. thank you
Brief Answer:
i dont think it has been very long; stop using now
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Well, you yourself are aware that fumes of plastic are not good for health.
However, there are some points which need to be paid attention to--
1. such exposures need significant time to bring harmful changes in a persons body and
2. also depends on the family history (genetics) and
3. on the age factor.
If someone has history of cancer in family (esp. Lung), or has been exposed to such fumes from several months or years and is also weak or aged--- then he or she is more likely to be harmed. So,not someone young and otherwise healthy like you...
I donot think you have any such prediposing factor.
Now, what you can do is wait and watch. Donot panic at all.
And more over I dont think you have developed any kind of pulmonary symptoms or dysnoea etc...or sputum production (as nothing has been mentioned in query) ...so, simply stop using that pencil and also abstain from smoking weed (this is also not healthy even without plastic fumes) and see how your body reacts.
Though you have not mentioned the duration from which you have been using this pencil for smoking weed but I think its not very long and Im quite hopeful that you are not heavily exposed to the chemical.
You may after sometime (provided there areany fresh symptoms) get an X Ray chest to see if there are any changes...and get a sputum examination.
Please dont worry so much, just stop using this thing further and even by doing so, had there been any mild changes-- they will aslo start to resolve on their own.
I wish you good health
please ask more queries if there are any doubts or you want to add more details.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
i dont think it has been very long; stop using now
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Well, you yourself are aware that fumes of plastic are not good for health.
However, there are some points which need to be paid attention to--
1. such exposures need significant time to bring harmful changes in a persons body and
2. also depends on the family history (genetics) and
3. on the age factor.
If someone has history of cancer in family (esp. Lung), or has been exposed to such fumes from several months or years and is also weak or aged--- then he or she is more likely to be harmed. So,not someone young and otherwise healthy like you...
I donot think you have any such prediposing factor.
Now, what you can do is wait and watch. Donot panic at all.
And more over I dont think you have developed any kind of pulmonary symptoms or dysnoea etc...or sputum production (as nothing has been mentioned in query) ...so, simply stop using that pencil and also abstain from smoking weed (this is also not healthy even without plastic fumes) and see how your body reacts.
Though you have not mentioned the duration from which you have been using this pencil for smoking weed but I think its not very long and Im quite hopeful that you are not heavily exposed to the chemical.
You may after sometime (provided there areany fresh symptoms) get an X Ray chest to see if there are any changes...and get a sputum examination.
Please dont worry so much, just stop using this thing further and even by doing so, had there been any mild changes-- they will aslo start to resolve on their own.
I wish you good health
please ask more queries if there are any doubts or you want to add more details.
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Okay i will and thank you:) So ive been smoking out of this pipe for about a month, and im sorry i forgot to tell you that... and that pretty much the entire pencil was being heated up cause it stated turning a very dark greenish color and it wasnt from the smoke of the burning weed cause i cleaned it out and it was still that color but only around half an inch was actually melted burnt.
And yes it does seem harder to breath, like i have to put effort into it almost but that could just be cause i was scared and nervous??
And yes it does seem harder to breath, like i have to put effort into it almost but that could just be cause i was scared and nervous??
Brief Answer:
it doesnot appear to be dangerous...dont worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1. So, though the entire pencil was heated up but only the half inch part was melted burnt...which is not much.
2. You have been smoking it from past one month and I think only from past 10-15 days the rubber has been involved..so, actual exposure was from 15 days or so..though it might have smelt bad for some more time due to the nearness of the rubber part.
3. The difficulty in breathing could have been due to many reasons- the smoking itself is one factor...espically for someone new to it...
or comorbid chest infection
or just out of fear asssociated with rubber fume inhalation....
Please dont worry, i im quite hopeful that it has nothing to do with any cancerous or other dangerous illness in your case.
Wait and watch should be the policy and also complete abstinence from any and all kinds of smoking and alcohol.
Just relax...do deep breathing...and ..it will resolve (breathing problem) on its own.
Try to be with friends and family and get fresh air.
Please feel free to ask more questions for clarification of any doubts
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
it doesnot appear to be dangerous...dont worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1. So, though the entire pencil was heated up but only the half inch part was melted burnt...which is not much.
2. You have been smoking it from past one month and I think only from past 10-15 days the rubber has been involved..so, actual exposure was from 15 days or so..though it might have smelt bad for some more time due to the nearness of the rubber part.
3. The difficulty in breathing could have been due to many reasons- the smoking itself is one factor...espically for someone new to it...
or comorbid chest infection
or just out of fear asssociated with rubber fume inhalation....
Please dont worry, i im quite hopeful that it has nothing to do with any cancerous or other dangerous illness in your case.
Wait and watch should be the policy and also complete abstinence from any and all kinds of smoking and alcohol.
Just relax...do deep breathing...and ..it will resolve (breathing problem) on its own.
Try to be with friends and family and get fresh air.
Please feel free to ask more questions for clarification of any doubts
Dr. Manisha Gopal
MD Neuropsychiatry
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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