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[April 2016]

Beware leakage from a smartphone case containing liquid

Purpose

Various types of smartphone cases are sold for protecting and decorating smartphones. Some of them contain chemical liquid inside. Recently, chemical burns caused by chemical liquid leaked from such smartphone cases have been reported on the Internet.

PIO-NET (Practical Living Information Online Network System) 1 registered five harmful incidents 2 such as "I got a rash from liquid leaked from the case" and "The smell made me sick". All the cases were reported in 2015 or later.

Accordingly, NCAC examined skin irritancy of chemical liquids encapsulated in some smartphone cases, and decided to issue an alert to consumers to avoid recurrence of similar problems.

  1. 1 PIO-NET (Practical Living Information Online-Network System) is a database that collects information on inquiries concerning consumer affairs by linking the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan with local consumer centers and similar organizations across Japan via an online network.
  2. 2 Data registered from April 2011 through February 29, 2016. The number of cases was examined specially for this news release.

Test period

  • Purchase of specimens: February-March 2016
  • Test period: February-April 2016

Information from PIO-NET (Practical Living Information Online-Network System)

The following shows harmful incidents caused by chemical liquid leaked from smartphone cases, registered in PIO-NET.

(1) Harmful incidents of skin damage

[Case1]
Liquid leaked from a smartphone case fell on my shoulder and I got a rash. The damage has not yet healed even after one week.
(woman in her 20s in Saitama-ken / received in Nov. 2015)
[Case2]
I bought a mobile phone case containing liquid through the Internet. While I was on the train, liquid leaked from the case spilled over my thighs and I had pain. After I got home, I found that my thighs were reddened and swollen about 15cm in length. I saw a doctor and was diagnosed with burn.
(woman in her 20s in Kanagawa-ken / received in Sep. 2015)
[Case3]
After I fell asleep holding a smartphone case containing liquid, I got a burn on my arm. It left a scar in shape of the case. The case had a nasty smell.
(woman in her 10s in Tokyo-to / received in Jul. 2015)
[Case4]
My smartphone case was partly broken when I was setting a smartphone in it. When I tried to take off the case, liquid leaked and probably fell on my clothes. One hour later, I felt itchy on my belly. I found out that the liquid penetrated through my clothes and reached to my skin, and then I got a rash on my belly.
(woman in her 10s in Hokkaido / received in Jun. 2015)

(2) Harmful incidents caused by a smell

[Case5]
When I dropped my smartphone, the case was cracked and the liquid leaked from it. Its nasty smell made me sick.
(woman in her 10s in Aichi-ken / received in Oct. 2015)

Brands subject to the test

Four brands were chosen for the test among smartphone cases containing liquid sold through Internet shopping sites. The photos below show their appearances. The table 1 shows their main specifications.

Table 1. Main specifications of products subject to the test
Brand No. Brand name Color Price(incl. tax)[ref] Seller Japan Corporate Number Materials of the body
1 Kirakira rame Nagareru hoshi Hikaru ryutai Magenta
(heart)
880 yen Asia International 5030001100139 Not indicated
2 Shooting star Star
Gold
1,180 yen Smile Tree - Poly-carbonate
3 Hologram MIX 2,268 yen WONDER LINE 2012801010050 Poly-carbonate
4 Yakouryusa Yakousei no suna ga nagareru rame iri case Green 1,556 yen BellBreeze - Poly-carbonate
  1. -: No number
  2. * This test result is only related to products bought for the test.
  3. * Under the name of the above brands, many kinds of products are sold with variation in color and compatible models.

Photo: Appearances of products subject to the test
Photo of smartphone cases containing liquids

Test

(1) Irritancy to the skin

Encapsulated liquids of three brands turned out to have "severe skin irritancy" and "skin corrosivity", while one brand liquid turned out to have "moderate skin irritancy"

A primary skin irritation test was conducted to check if skin problems such as reddening and chemical burn could occur when the liquid encapsulated in each specimen is attached to the skin (As for the detailed test method, see the reference material below).

A gauze patch evenly moistened with the liquid encapsulated in each specimen was applied to the intact skin of each test animal for 4 hours. After taking off the gauze patches, each skin site was observed to evaluate skin irritancy at 1, 24, 48, 72 hours after the patch had been removed. In accordance with ISO 10993-10 3, the primary skin irritation index (P.I.I.) was calculated to evaluate skin irritancy (Diagram 1).

As a result of the test, three brand liquids No.1-3 turned out to have severe skin irritancy: lesion in depth such as necrosis 4 and cicatrix 5 was seen from 1 hour after to 72 hours after, and edema 6 was seen till 48 hours after. Concerning No.4, necrosis was seen from 1 hour after till 72 hours after, while edema was not seen 48 hours and more after. Consequently, the liquid of brand No.4 turned out to have moderate skin irritancy.

As a result of further observation, three brand liquids No.1-3 turned out to have skin corrosivity, because some part of the exposed skin site was not regenerated even 14 days after removing the gauze patches.

  1. 3 ISO 10993-10(Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices - Part 10): Tests for Irritation and Skin Sensitization
  2. 4 It is caused by physical/chemical damage generated when some cells or organs die.
  3. 5 Scar generated after a burn or external injury was healed.
  4. 6 A state where moisture is trapped in a tissue space (e.g. under the skin).

Diagram 1: Evaluation of primary skin irritancy
Graph of evaluation of primary skin irritancy, followed by descriptions in text
Brands No.1-3 turned out to have "severe skin irritancy" and "skin corrosivity", while brand No.4 turned out to have "moderate skin irritancy".

(2) Indication confirmed

Only two brands indicated effects of the encapsulated liquid on human bodies

We checked the package, written instruction attached, and website of each brand to see if explanation is given about "ingredients of the liquid", "effects on human bodies", "how to handle when the liquid leaks" and "how to treat when the liquid is attached to the skin" (Table 2).

Three brands (No. 2, 3 and 4) indicate "ingredients of the liquid", specifically paraffinum liquidum and mineral oil 7.

Three brands (No. 2, 3 and 4) indicate "effects on human bodies". The brand No.2 just indicates that it does not affect human bodies, while brands No.3 and No.4 indicate that it does not affect human bodies in general, while some people might get a rash or inflammation depending on constitution.

Three brands (No. 2, 3 and 4) indicate "how to handle when the liquid leaks". Only two brands (No.3 and 4) indicate "how to treat when the liquid is attached to the skin".

After examining each brand liquid, it was found out that liquids of brands No.1-3 contain hydrocarbons and are volatile even at normal temperature (a low boiling point), but exact ingredients are unknown. The liquid of brand No.4 is considered to be composed of straight-chain hydrocarbons such as tridecane and tetradecane.

  1. 7 Paraffinum liquidum and mineral oil generically refer to petroleum-derived oil. They are widely used for lubricant, fuel, cosmetics, etc.
Table 2. Descriptions on liquid
(Only one example is written in case of overlap.)
Brand No. Ingredients Effects on human bodies How to handle when the liquid leaks How to treat when the liquid is attached to the skin
No.1 - - - -
No.2
(Diag. 2)
Paraffinum liquidum(website) Liquid paraffinum liquidum basically does not affect human bodies. Our staff members actually touched the oil for confirmation and found no problem. (website) Leakage generates petroleum-like smell. In that case, please stop using the product. (website) -
No.3
(Diag. 3)
Mineral oil
(attached instruction)
•It is laboratory-confirmed that the liquid is harmless to human bodies. Nevertheless, please handle with due care. (attached instruction)
•While mineral oil is widely used for cosmetics and other products as liquid component, it might cause a rash and/or inflammation depending on constitution. Please handle with care. (attached instruction)
If the product should be broken, stop using it right away.
(attached instruction)
If by any chance the liquid should be attached to the skin, carefully wash the area with running water. In case of abnormality, be sure to see a doctor. (attached instruction)
No.4
(Diag. 4)
Mineral oil
(attached instruction)
•The liquid basically does not affect human bodies. Nevertheless, it might cause a rash if allergic persons touch the liquid in case of leakage from a broken case. (attached instruction)
•If the liquid should be leaked and attached to the skin for a while, the liquid might stain the skin and/or cause inflammation. (attached instruction)
In case of leakage, stop using it right away. (website) If the liquid should be leaked and attached to the skin, carefully wash the area with soap and water in order to avoid color staining. (attached instruction)
  1. - : means no indication.

Diagram2: Indication of No.2 (extracts)
(Red-lined portions describe "ingredients of the liquid", "effects on human bodies",
"How to handle when the liquid leaks", and "how to treat when the liquid is attached to the skin")

a) From the website 1
Indicating "paraffinum liquidum made in Japan" and so on, followed by English translation of the red lined portion

Paraffinum liquidum made in Japan is used

b) From the website 2
Indicating "Our smartphone cases are safe and secure" and so on, followed by English translation of the red lined portion

Our smartphone cases are safe and secure

Liquid paraffinum liquidum basically does not affect human bodies. Our staff members actually touched the liquid for confirmation and found no problem. Therefore, our products are totally different from those causing chemical burns. Please feel at ease.

Diagram3: Indication of No.3 (extracts)
(Red-lined portions describe "ingredients of the liquid", "effects on human bodies",
"How to handle when the liquid leaks", and "how to treat when the liquid is attached to the skin")

From the instruction
Indication of the instruction attached, followed by English translation of the red lined portion

  • If the product should be broken, stop using it right away.Be careful when handling broken pieces.
  • While mineral oil is widely used for cosmetics and other products as liquid component, it might cause a rash and/or inflammation depending on constitution. Please handle with care.
  • If by any chance the liquid should be attached to your skin, carefully wash the area with running water. In case of abnormality, be sure to see a doctor.
  • It is laboratory-confirmed that the liquid is harmless to human bodies. Nevertheless, please handle with due care.

Diagram 4: Indication of No.4 (extracts)
(Red-lined portions describe "ingredients of the liquid", "effects on human bodies",
"How to handle when the liquid leaks", and "how to treat when the liquid is attached to the skin")

a) Website
Indication of "the instruction attached", followed by English translation of the red lined portion

In case of leakage, stop using it right away.

If the liquid should be leaked and attached to the skin, carefully wash the area with soap and water in order to avoid color staining.

b) Instruction attached
Indication of "precautions in handling a smartphone case containing liquid", followed by English translation of the red lined portion

  • The liquid is made of industrial paraffinum liquidum, which basically does not affect human bodies. Nevertheless, it might cause a rash if allergic persons touch the liquid in case of leakage from a broken case. Please beware the following points.
  • If the liquid should be leaked and attached to the skin, carefully wash the area with soap and water in order to avoid color staining.
  • In case of leakage, stop using it right away.
  • If the liquid should be leaked and attached to the skin for a while, the liquid might stain the skin and/or cause inflammation.

Advice for consumers

(1) If you notice leakage, stop using it right away.

If the liquid encapsulated in a smartphone case should be leaked for any reason and attached to the skin, it might generate skin problems. If any strong physical impact is applied to the case or if you sense an abnormal smell like heating oil or solvent, check if the liquid leaks or not. If it does, stop using the product right away.

(2) If the liquid should be attached to your skin, wash the area right away. Take off the clothes into which the liquid seeped.

If the liquid should be attached to your skin, wash the area with sufficient running water right away. If the liquid is spilled on your clothes, take off the clothes right away and wash it with sufficient running water. See a doctor if necessary.

(3) Be careful of a strong smell, which might cause health problems.

The liquid has a strong smell. It was reported that the smell caused health problems. In case of leakage, isolate the product by packaging it in a plastic bag or the like, cautiously avoiding to touch the liquid. Then, ventilate the room.

Requests to businesses

(1) Ensure proper indication of effects of the encapsulated liquid to human bodies

Concerning the liquid encapsulated in smartphone cases, some products don't indicate effects on human bodies, and some other products indicate that it does not affect human bodies. As a result of the product test, however, it was found out that all the liquids subject to the test could cause skin problems. NCAC requests businesses concerned to ensure proper indication of effects on human bodies as well as how to handle when the liquid leaks.

(2) Develop much more safety-conscious products (e.g. by replacing the liquid with safe one)

As a result of the primary skin irritation test, it was found out that touching the encapsulated liquid could cause human skin problems. NCAC requests businesses concerned to develop much more safety-conscious products (e.g. by replacing the current liquid with safe one).