Detergent pods and children: a health hazard on the rise

Gulamhusein, Husayn; Sabri, Kourosh

doi:10.1007/s43678-020-00032-4

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Among Detergents and auxiliaries for laundry and dishwashing (excludes biocidal products) (PC-DET), two different trends could be observed: on the one hand, there was a highly statistically significant decrease of Laundry detergents (PC-DET-1) probably caused by LLDC exposures of children aged 1–5 years; on the other, a significant increase in exposures of the same age class was detected for Dishwashing detergents (PC-DET-3). Differently, during COVID-19 crisis, Gulamhusein and Sabri [ 30 ] saw an increase in ocular exposures to LLDC among Canadian children. When investigating American NDPS data among children aged < 6 years, Gaw et al [ 31 ] saw a declined trend by 55.5% from 2015 to 2017.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Significant variations of dangerous exposures during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: a possible association with the containment measures implemented to reduce the virus transmission

et al. 2022

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Background In response to the COVID-19 health emergency, mass media widely spread guidelines to stop the virus transmission, leading to an excessive and unaware use of detergents and disinfectants. In Italy and in other countries this tendency caused a significant increase of exposures to these products in 2020. Evaluating data collected by the Italian Pavia Poison Centre (PPC), this study intends to examine the relationship between the COVID-19 lockdown and the variations of exposures to specific product categories possibly associated to the containment measures implemented. Simultaneously, this work shows the effectiveness of the European Product Categorisation System (EuPCS) in surveillance activities of dangerous chemicals. Methods Exposure cases managed by the PPC during March–May 2020 (lockdown) and during the same months of 2017–2018-2019 were compared. Differences in categorical variables were tested with the Chi-square test. The level of significance was set at Alpha = .05. The study included all EuPCS groups but specifically focused on cleaners, detergents, biocides and cosmetics. Results During the lockdown, calls from private citizens showed a highly significant increase (+ 11.5%, p < .001) and occupational exposures decreased (− 11.7%, p = .011). Among Cleaners, exposures to Bleaches slightly increased while Drain cleaning products went through a significant reduction (− 13.9%, p = .035). A highly significant increase of exposures to Disinfectants was observed (+ 7.7%, p = .007), particularly to those for surfaces (+ 6.8%, p = .039). Regarding Cosmetics, both handwashing soaps and gel products significantly increased (respectively: + 25.0, p = .016 and + 9.7%, p = .028). Among children 1–5 years, the statistical significance is reached with exposures to Dishwashing detergents (+ 13.1%, p = .032), handwashing soaps (+ 28.6%, p = .014) and handwashing gel products (+ 16.8%, p = .010). Contrarily, Liquid Laundry Detergent Capsules decreased in a highly significant manner (− 25%; p = .001). The general severity of exposures showed a highly significant decrease (Moderate: − 10.1%, p = .0002). Conclusions This study investigated the relationship between the COVID-19 lockdown and the variations of exposures to some product categories related to the containment measures. The results obtained support any action to be taken by Competent Authorities to implement measures for a safer use of cleaners/disinfectants. This paper shows the benefit in applying the EuPCS to categorize products according to their intended use, though an extension of this system to products not covered by CLP Regulation may be a further advantage.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Significant variations of dangerous exposures during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: a possible association with the containment measures implemented to reduce the virus transmission

et al. 2022

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“…In 2020 and 2021, household cleaning products, such as dishwasher detergent, bleach, disinfectant and floor cleaners, were reported as the leading cause of non-drug substance exposures managed by Canadian poison centres (Canadian Association for Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicology 2020 , 2021 ). Gulamhusein and Sabri ( 2021 ) reported an increase in ocular exposures to laundry detergent packets during the COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary ophthalmology center in Canada. During the COVID-19 pandemic, various public health measures including lockdowns and daycare or school closures caused many parents and caregivers to experience changes in schedules, such as balancing work and childcare at home (Fong and Iarocci 2020 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…US emergency department data from a Consumer Product Safety Commission report in 2021 suggested that injuries related to soaps and detergents increased during the March to September 2020 timeframe, perhaps as consumers may have stayed home and done more house cleaning (United States Consumer Product Safety Commission 2021 ). Thus, it is possible that children may have had increased opportunities to be exposed to household products like detergent packets while spending more time at home (Gulamhusein and Sabri 2021 ; Harding 2020 ). A recent study using data from the Italian Pavia Poison Centre (PPC) during a three-month COVID-19 lockdown period compared to the same months of 2017–2018–2019 found a decrease in exposures to liquid laundry detergent packets among children aged 1–5 years (Giordano et al 2022 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pediatric injuries and poisonings associated with detergent packets: results from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP), 2011–2023

Zutrauen,

Cheesman,

McFaull

2024

Inj. Epidemiol.

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Background Detergent packets are common household products; however, they pose a risk of injuries and poisonings, especially among children. This study examined the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric injuries and poisonings related to all types of detergent packets in Canada using emergency department (ED) data from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) database. Methods The CHIRPP database was searched for ED visit records for injuries and poisonings related to all types of detergent packets between April 1, 2011 and October 12, 2023 (N = 2,021,814) using variable codes and narratives. Data for individuals aged 17 years and younger were analyzed descriptively. Temporal trends in the number of detergent packet-related injuries and poisonings per 100,000 CHIRPP cases were assessed using Joinpoint regression and annual percent change (APC). A proportion ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to compare the proportion of detergent packet-related cases in CHIRPP during two 34-months periods, pre-COVID-19 pandemic and after the beginning of the pandemic. Results There were 904 detergent packet-related cases among children and youth aged 17 years and younger identified in CHIRPP between April 1, 2011 and October 12, 2023, representing 59.9 cases per 100,000 CHIRPP cases. The majority (86.5%) of cases were among children aged 4 years and younger. Poisonings (58.8%) and eye injuries (30.6%) were the most frequent primary diagnoses. Unintentional ingestion (56.9%) and squeezing/breaking a detergent packet (32.3%) were the most frequent exposure mechanisms. Sixty-five patients (7.2%) were admitted to hospital. The number of detergent packet-related cases per 100,000 CHIRPP cases increased by 5.0% (95% CI 0.8, 10.2) annually between 2012 and 2022. The number of detergent packet-related poisonings per 100,000 CHIRPP cases decreased by 15.3% (95% CI − 22.3, − 10.6) annually between 2015 and 2022, whereas eye injuries showed an average annual percent increase of 16.6% (95% CI 11.2, 23.0) between 2012 and 2022. The proportion of detergent packet-related cases in CHIRPP after the beginning of the pandemic (79.9/100,000 CHIRPP cases) was 1.43 (95% CI 1.20, 1.71) times greater than pre-pandemic (55.7/100,000 CHIRPP cases). Conclusions Detergent packet-related injuries and poisonings are a persisting issue. Continued surveillance and prevention efforts are needed to reduce detergent packet-related injuries and poisonings in Canada, particularly among children and youth.

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Laboratory features in acute paediatric poisoning with liquid laundry detergent capsules: a seven-year retrospective study in Romania

Nitescu,

Lescaie,

Ilisei

et al. 2024

Clinical Toxicology

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Detergent pods and children: a health hazard on the rise

Cited by 4 publications

References 3 publications

Significant variations of dangerous exposures during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: a possible association with the containment measures implemented to reduce the virus transmission

Significant variations of dangerous exposures during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: a possible association with the containment measures implemented to reduce the virus transmission

Pediatric injuries and poisonings associated with detergent packets: results from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP), 2011–2023

Laboratory features in acute paediatric poisoning with liquid laundry detergent capsules: a seven-year retrospective study in Romania

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