Washington restricts lethal chemical previously sold on Amazon
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
When a package from Amazon arrived at her Clark County home in November 2020, Michelle Vasquez-Stickley assumed it was art supplies for her 15-year-old son. She left it on his bed for him.
The package instead contained sodium nitrite, a powder that can serve as a poison antidote and, used at low levels of purity, as a meat preservative. But at high concentrations, it can be lethal.
Vasquez-Stickley's son, Tyler Schmidt, used 99.6% pure sodium nitrite to die by suicide weeks after the delivery.
'As parents, we do everything we can to protect our children, but how could I protect Tyler from something I didn't even know was a danger?' Vasquez-Stickley asked lawmakers in January. 'The reality is, my child couldn't walk into a pharmacy and purchase allergy medication without restrictions, yet he could buy a lethal substance online with no age verifications or warnings about dangers.'
Schmidt is one of dozens who died by this method across the country. After many warnings, Amazon stopped selling the high-purity products in late 2022, while denying wrongdoing.
In hopes of making that restriction permanent, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Monday signed Tyler's Law, a prohibition on the sale of sodium nitrite at concentrations greater than 10%. The law has exceptions for businesses that use the product.
Washington is now the fourth state to place limits on the substance, joining California, Colorado and New York.
'Tyler's law ensures no other Washingtonian can order the deadly poison online and have it shipped to their home,' Ferguson said.
Sellers now have to label their sodium nitrite products, 'WARNING DANGER: Deadly if ingested. If ingested, seek immediate medical attention for intravenous administration of methylene blue. Ingestion of sodium nitrite, even in small quantities, causes severe methemoglobinemia, extreme pain, and imminent death. Keep out of reach of children.'
Violators of the new requirements face a $10,000 fine for their first transgression, rising to $1 million for subsequent violations. The attorney general or private citizens can bring litigation to enforce the law.
House Bill 1209 passed both chambers with bipartisan support. The law takes effect immediately.
Vasquez-Stickley and Schmidt's family were on hand as Ferguson signed the bill Monday.
'This is the kind of thing that makes a difference,' Ferguson told them. 'And so I just so appreciate you having the courage to come together, to work with legislators, to work with their advocates, to bring this to public attention.'
A similar measure has seen progress at the federal level, with legislation to ban the chemical's sale at high concentrations passing the U.S. House of Representatives before stalling in the Senate last year.
Meanwhile, the state Supreme Court recently agreed to hear one of the several cases against Amazon from families of loved ones who died after ingesting sodium nitrite.
An appeals court last year had dismissed that consolidated case, over four deaths from sodium nitrite purchased from the Seattle e-commerce giant. The judges ruled the company couldn't be held liable for intentional misuse of its products.
Many other lawsuits against Amazon over this issue are also ongoing.
After Tyler's Law passed the House, Vasquez-Stickley told KING 5 she hoped the bill would save lives 'and prevent other families from experiencing the profound loss we have endured.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
6 hours ago
- Fox News
Transform your bathroom into an at-home spa with these self-care items
Designing an at-home spa experience in your own space transforms everyday routines into serene self-care rituals. The right tools — think scented candles and diffusers, plush bath robes and calming music — engage the senses and encourage intentional downtime. These 10 items help create a sanctuary that reduces stress and promotes relaxation. This citrus‑eucalyptus-scented candle releases a spa-worthy herbal fragrance perfect for relaxation or meditation. Its clean, soy-based wax and fresh scent create a calming and crisp ambiance in any bathroom without overwhelming the senses. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. Original price: $39.99 This smart diffuser puts you in control. Connect it to Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant to schedule scents and light colors with your phone or voice. It has two mist modes and an adjustable LED light for a custom spa ambiance. Don't forget to pick up this set of essential oils so you have lots of options to go with it. This colorful bath bomb set includes scents like lavender, eucalyptus and chamomile, releasing soothing essential oils, fizzing action and vibrant color into warm bathwater. Each individually labeled to target specific concerns like detox and muscle relief, these enhance sensory bathing with aromatherapy and hydration, leaving skin soft and senses revived. Adding magnesium bath flakes is also a good choice if you're looking to quell muscle soreness and promote better sleep. This natural-bristle dry brush gently exfoliates skin before soaking, stimulating circulation and encouraging smooth, glowing skin. Repeated use promotes lymphatic drainage and softens rough areas like elbows and heels. Integrating this into your skincare prep enhances oil absorption afterward — whether you use body oil or lotion — elevating your self-care ritual with detoxifying, invigorating touch. Available in elegant glass containers and designed to burn cleanly and evenly, Nest candles elevate both scent and aesthetic. The high-end vessels can double as décor and the long burn times ensure a consistent ambiance for at-home spa sessions. If you prefer to scent your home with something that doesn't involve fire, try the brand's reed diffusers. Original price: $299.95 Hotel Collection's scent diffuser infuses subtle fragrances throughout your space without flames. Using cold-air diffusion technology, this compact device converts fragrance oil into a dry mist that covers up to 600 feet, emulating that hotel spa ambiance in your home. You can also get the same relaxing scents in a room spray version. Epsom salt is an age-old remedy to bring soothing magnesium and calming aromatics to warm baths. This lavender version relieves muscle tension, soothes aches and softens skin while relaxing your mind in fragrant floral steam. These salts transform a regular bath into an immersive spa, promoting detox and calm with minimal effort. Plus, the three-pound bag should last you up to 12 baths. This set of natural loofah sponges gently exfoliates skin, stimulates circulation, improves lotion absorption and leaves skin soft and polished. For an intensive foot treatment, try these foot masks, which use disposable booties filled with hydrating lotion to leave feet soft after 20 minutes. These Peach & Lily face masks are designed to pull out impurities while hydrating and firming the skin. For a simple, mess-free application, just unwrap the sheet and place it on your face. You can also try this Cryo Chill face mask, which you store in the fridge or freezer and apply as needed for instant de-puffing. For more deals, visit Get the authentic hotel spa experience at home with this Marriott Hotel collection terry velour spa robe. Made from soft, breathable cotton and designed in a relaxed fit, the plush robe delivers spa comfort in your own home. While you're relaxing in your robe, pop on this electric back and neck massager and drift off into relaxation.
New York Post
6 hours ago
- New York Post
BRB, grace & stella's Hyaluronic Serum is only $8 on Amazon now
New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if you click or buy through our links. Featured pricing is subject to change. There's something quietly thrilling about spotting a beloved beauty staple at an unmissable price, and that's precisely what's happening with the grace & stella Hyaluronic Acid Serum. This bottle of glass-like skin in liquid form is currently on sale for 57% off and available for only $8 — a blistering bargain by any metric. If you've ever hesitated to splurge on what looks like 'just a serum,' this might be the moment to rethink. Because, after all, grace & stella delivers. Let's be clear: grace & stella is a brand I already hold in high esteem. Its under-eye patches (you know, those TikTok-viral, gold or pink hydrogel crescents) are among my absolute favorite products for calming puffiness and illuminating tired eyes. I've come to rely on them, especially on brutal mornings when even coffee needs help. Their bestseller status (with multiple celebrity mentions and thousands of five-star reviews) is 100% justified. Advertisement So when I heard grace & stella had brought that same clean, skin-loving ethos to a hyaluronic acid serum priced for less than $10, I was genuinely excited. It's Christmas, a thoughtful extension of a brand I trust. Amazon The serum itself is remarkably straightforward, and that's part of its appeal. It's formulated without parabens, phthalates and fragrance. At the heart of the formula is sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, a long-lasting, moisture-binding cousin of traditional hyaluronic acid that stays in the upper layers of skin and delivers hydration over time — far more than what you'd expect from a typical HA serum. Accompanying that is sodium hyaluronate and hyaluronic acid, all of which hold onto water like tiny sponges; each gram capable of binding up to 1,000 times its weight in moisture. From a formulation perspective, it's a masterclass in minimalist yet effective skincare. There's no fluff or filler but rather a quartet of hydration heroes backed by botanicals and clean, modern chemistry. And, at over four million customers strong with 180,000 five-star brand reviews, this is the real deal. Using the serum feels luxe. A couple of pumps on damp skin — face and neck — delivers an immediate burst of moisture that tempers any tightness or dehydration in seconds. Followed by moisturizer, it layers flawlessly under SPF and foundation. Not to mention, if your budget has ever felt like an obstacle, this $8 price tag is a revelation. Most hyaluronic serums with similar ingredients can easily cost between $20 to $40. To get all those humectants, marine extracts and crosspolymer tech in one affordable drop is almost unheard of. Plus, with a major discount ongoing, now feels like the perfect moment to pull the trigger. Now, I know what you're thinking: 'Yes, great ingredients, but does it compare to luxury or dermatologist-grade versions?' Sure, high-end brands often have fancy marketing or proprietary blends, but the core hydration heroes here are the same: sodium hyaluronate, panthenol, glycerin. The crosspolymer form adds longevity. The question becomes whether those labels cost more in your bottle or in your savings jar. For many of us, this serum is more than enough. And, if you follow it with your tried-and-true moisturizer, you're getting everything you need. The Final Verdict If I were to summarize, grace & stella's Hyaluronic Acid Serum is a budget hero in the best sense. Potent humectants, soothing botanicals, clean formulas and a stunning price point. Whether you're HA-curious, self-care-minded or just want to amplify your moisturizer game, this serum earns a spot in your routine —with room to spare in your wallet. This article was written by Victoria Giardina, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what's truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria's latest conquests include testing the best vitamin C serums on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos of 2025. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.
Gizmodo
11 hours ago
- Gizmodo
Samsung Galaxy Ring Hits Lowest Price Ever, AI Fitness Monitor You Wear on Your Finger for Peanuts
Samsung's Galaxy Ring is an special band you can wear all-day long for health tracking purposes. It makes for an excellent alternative to a smartwatch for folks who aren't interesting in wearing one on their wrist. Perhaps you have a nice 'real' watch you like to wear but are still interested in being able to track your heart rate, sleep habits, and other health metrics. If that's you, then the Galaxy Ring might be right for you. Right now, Amazon has it on sale for a 25% discount. Normally going for $400, today it can be yours for just $300 — saving you a whole $100. See at Amazon Wearing a ring at night to gather sleep tracking data is way less intrusive than needing to keep a watch on all throughout the night. You'll barely even notice you still have the Galaxy Ring still on your finger. And while its on, you'll gain insights into your health like receiving a personalized Energy Score with the help of Galaxy AI. The ring calculates how ready you are to take on the day using your sleep patterns along with other metrics which you can access via the Samsung Health app. Part of keeping in shape is being able to track your fitness progress. The Galaxy Ring is actually able to identify when you've begun a workout automatically, logging it, and the collect insights for your walk or run. Use the Samsung Health App to view all the metrics and data recorded from you Galaxy Ring where you can also combine it with information collected from other Samsung Health products such as a Galaxy Watch. Finding the right size Galaxy Ring is easy. It's possible they might vary from regular ring sizes, so Samsung has made the process simple by offering a sizing kit, purchasable from the same Amazon page. It only costs $10 for the kit, but it comes with a $10 credit toward purchasing a Samsung Galaxy Ring. So if you follow through and get yourself the smart ring, the price becomes a wash to try one on. With the Galaxy Ring , you'll receive the Galaxy Ring case which can be used for charging along with a standard charging cable. You have a choice of three different stylish colors which include Titanium Silver, Titanium Gold, and Titanium Black. For a limited time, you can save $100 when purchasing the Samsung Galaxy Ring from Amazon. Since it's usually priced at $400, that means right now you can get one for just $300. See at Amazon
