INBOX
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LET TER ABOUT LUMINESCENCE
Dear HIW,
I was told that glow sticks are toxic and I would like to know if this is true? What’s inside them and how does luminescence suddenly appear when you crack them?
Zara
Bowen
Glow sticks can be a fun addition to any party and are generally safe as long as the contents remain inside. You shouldn’t cut open a glow stick, as the chemicals inside can irritate the skin. Usually, the chemicals inside aren’t toxic, but they also aren’t edible and should be kept away from the skin and eyes. When you crack a glow stick, you’re actually breaking a thin glass vial inside the stick. This releases the chemical hydrogen peroxide and an acidic substance called phthalic ester into the plastic cylinder. This highlights another reason to avoid cutting open glow sticks, as small shards of glass
The chemical reaction in glow sticks only happens after you bend them
penetrate
the
plastic
cylinders
if
you
cut
or
snap
them
apart.