Good morning everyone,

Each state may have their own laws / requirements for acquisition and use. For example, Connecticut drafted a law in 2019 that allowed for non-profit and for-profit entities to purchase autoinjectors, but require consultation with a prescribing provider. Requirements to become an authorized entity include:

1. medical protocol approved by a prescribing practitioner licensed in CT
2. properly trained individual(s) available to administer the injection
3. records of trainings
4. annual review of medical protocol by trained individual(s) and prescribing practitioner

 I wonder whether EpiPens should be kept in clearly marked stations, much like AEDs. Opening the station door could automatically alert campus or school first responders, and the stations could be regularly inspected like AEDs or fire extinguishers to ensure that the EpiPens are present, properly stored, and within their expiration dates.

The need may not be as rare as we might assume. An analysis of 217 colleges reported that more than 95% of college dining halls and about two-thirds of campus emergency responders lacked epinephrine on hand. School data also suggest that EpiPens might be needed more frequently than AEDs. A systematic review estimated epinephrine use in schools at 6–22 times per 100,000 person-years,[1] compared with 0.63 sudden cardiac arrests per 100,000 student-years in a prospective study of U.S. high schools.[2] Although this is not a perfect comparison, particularly because AEDs also serve older employees and visitors, it suggests that an EpiPen could be needed roughly 10–35 times more often among students than an AED. A readily accessible and properly maintained EpiPen station really could save a life.

College data: https://www.aaaai.org/about/news/news/2025/college

1. Chu DK, Cruickshank H, Brozek J, Waserman S. Risk of anaphylaxis in schools: a systematic review. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018;141(2 Suppl). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2017.12.501
2. Drezner JA, Toresdahl BG, Rao AL, Huszti E, Harmon KG. Outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest in US high schools: a 2-year prospective study from the National Registry for AED Use in Sports. Br J Sports Med. 2013;47(18):1179–1183. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-092786

On Thu, Aug 27, 2026 at 6:59 AM Murphy, Dr. Ruth Ann <000019862d8e7db2-dmarc-request**At_Symbol_Here**lists.princeton.edu> wrote:

Good afternoon,

 

And sometimes people are allergic to Benadryl – I am!!

 

Ruth Ann Cook Murphy, PhD

Professor of Chemistry

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

900 College Street

Belton, TX 76513

(254) 295-4542

From: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU> On Behalf Of Shannon Nephew
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2026 1:59 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Epi pens for field work

 

EXTERNAL Exercise Caution

Good afternoon,

Our faculty have asked quite a bit about what to do when they are out in the field, far from medical care and out of cell service, and need an Epi Pen for a student or faculty member who gets stung by a bee and has an unknown allergy?

Has anyone encountered a similar scenario or have any ideas?  Last year we had a student who stepped on a hornet nest and was stung many times and had an unknown allergy, so we are trying to plan ahead for any future issues.  

We do have Benadryl in the field first aid kits, but this could be a very dangerous situation.  

Thank you,

 

Shannon

SHANNON C. NEPHEW, 

MS, CSM, CCHO

Chemical Hygiene Officer, Hudson Hall Science Complex Building Manager

Laboratory Safety Professional

Hudson Hall 317

101 Broad Street
Plattsburgh, NY 12901

(o) 518-593-9612

plattsburgh.edu

    

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