Massachusetts police last week issued a warning about a new TikTok  trend after at least 10 children were hospitalized, in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from the District of Columbia and Massachusetts.

• District of Columbia: The  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in response to community health experts and environmental justice advocates, proposed stricter pollution standards for several toxic chemicals, including ethylene oxide, which is widely used to sterilize medical equipment. However, some stakeholders in the healthcare and chemical industries voiced concern that these rule changes could disrupt the supply of safe medical equipment, which would negatively impact hospitals and clinics nationwide. "This issue is critical for patients, and as a result, the stakes are high. Ethylene oxide sterilization facilities are at capacity," said Scott Whitaker, president and CEO of  AdvaMed, which says it is the world's largest medical technology association. "If new EPA regulations force sterilization facilities to close, patients could face treatment delays as sterile technology supplies — such as pacemakers and surgical equipment — fall short." (Puko, Washington Post, 4/6)
• Massachusetts: In an April 5  Facebook  post, the  Dracut Police Department (DPD) warned the public about a new TikTok challenge that left at least 10 children hospitalized. For the challenge, participants chew a brand of gum called "Trouble Bubble," which contains the same ingredient used in police pepper spray — oleoresin capsicum. While traditional pepper spray has a heat level of roughly 1 to 2 million Scoville units, the gum has a heat level of 16 million Scoville units. Text on the product's packaging challenges potential gum chewers to see if they can chew long enough to blow a bubble. According to DPD, at least 10 children at a school in Orange were hospitalized last week after coming into contact with the gum. Those who chewed the gum reported digestive issues, including burning of the mouth and esophagus, while those who touched the gum reported skin reactions and eye irritation. In total, six students were taken by ambulance to Athol Hospital and  Heywood Hospital, and other students were taken to area hospitals by parents or guardians. "Anyone found to have used the gum should be treated for extensive exposure to oleoresin capsicum," DPD said. (Bean, Becker's Hospital Review, 3/6)
• Massachusetts: Pear Therapeutics  on Friday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and laid off most of its workforce. The digital therapeutics company filed for bankruptcy just three weeks after saying it was investigating strategic alternatives and was considering a restructure or fold if it could not find a financial lifeline. According to a Wednesday Securities and Exchange Commission  filing, the company's board authorized layoffs for around 170 employees — roughly 92% of its full-time staff. The company will keep around 15 employees on staff to work through the bankruptcy process and continue marketing efforts. In addition, the company said it will pursue buyers interested in purchasing specific assets or the entire company. (Turner, Modern Healthcare, 4/7)