Increases in exposure calls related to selected cleaners and disinfectants at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic: data from Canadian poison centres

Yasseen, Abdool S.; Weiss, Deborah Jones; Remer, Sandy; Dobbin, Nina A.; MacNeill, Morgan; Bogeljic, Bojana; Leong, Dennis; Wan, Victoria; Mosher, Laurie; Bélair, Guy; Thompson, Margaret; Button, Brooke; Hardy, James; Perwaiz, Shahid; Smith, Alysyn; Wootton, Richard

doi:10.24095/hpcdp.41.1.03

Cited by 31 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…However, a substantial concern about the adverse effects of disinfectants on the consumers has been recently raised [17] , [19] , [2] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [3] , [33] , [5] , [7] . In addition to health hazards in users ( e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on household disinfectant consumption behaviors and related environmental concerns: A questionnaire-based survey in China

Guo

Liao

et al. 2021

Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

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Considering the potential hazardous effects of disinfectant residues on environment, organisms and biodiversity, the sharp rise in use of disinfectants during COVID-19 pandemic has been considered highly likely to cause worldwide secondary disasters in ecosystems and human health. This questionnaire-based survey investigated the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on household disinfectant product consumption levels and behaviour of 3667 Chinese residents. In particular, in the context that no strategy is currently available to minimize the disinfectant pollution, based on the similarities between disinfectants and pharmaceuticals, we proposed a perspective of ecopharmacovigilance (EPV), which is an effective measure to minimize the environmental risks posed by pharmaceuticals using drug administration protocols, for disinfectant environmental risk management. The public’s environmental perceptions, attitudes and the related practices regarding household disinfectant consumption from an EPV perspective were also included in the study. The results showed that the COVID-19 outbreak caused a tremendous rise in the public’s household disinfectant consumption and usage levels in China. After the COVID-19 outbreak, the chlorine-based and alcohol-based disinfectants were considered as the most preferred products for household disinfection and hand sanitization, respectively. Importantly, the Chinese public’s environmental perceptions and practice on disinfectants were poor. Less than half respondents had positive attitudes toward the source control of disinfectant pollution. The population groups including females, the middle aged adults, those having healthcare professional background, as well as the higher-educated could be focused on to develop targeted efforts for the future control of disinfectant pollution in environment.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on household disinfectant consumption behaviors and related environmental concerns: A questionnaire-based survey in China

Guo

Liao

et al. 2021

Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering

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“…Chang et al [7] observed a similar trend, although the statistical signi cance was not evaluated. Increased calls regarding household disinfectants were registered by several PCs around the world [5,8,9,30]. In the present study, the statistical signi cance was speci cally reached for Disinfectants and algaecides not intended for direct application to humans or animals, while Biocidal products for human hygiene (PP-BIO-1) only show a not statistically signi cant increased percentage.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 41%

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

Giordano

Petrolini

Spagnolo

et al. 2021

Preprint

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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 Products 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 = 0.05. The study included all EuPCS groups but specifically focused on cleaners, detergents, biocides and cosmetics. Results: During the lockdown calls from private citizens significantly increased (+11.5%, p<0.001) and occupational exposures decreased (-11.7%, p<0.05). Among Cleaners, exposures to Bleaches slightly increased while Drain cleaning products went through a significant reduction (-13.9%, p<0.05). An increase of exposures to Disinfectants was observed (+7.7%, p<0.01), particularly to those for surfaces (+6.8%, p<0.05). Regarding Cosmetics, both handwashing soaps and gel products significantly increased (respectively: +25.0 and +9.7%, p<0.05).Among children 1-5 years, the statistical significance is reached with exposures to Dishwashing detergents (+13.1%), handwashing soaps (+28.6%, p<0.05) and handwashing gel products (+16.8%, p=0.01). Contrarily, Liquid Laundry Detergent Capsules significantly decreased (-25%; p=0.001). The general severity of exposures decreased (Moderate: -10.1%, p<0.001). 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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“…In addition, Yasseen Iii and colleagues analysed data from January to June in 2019 and 2020 from five Canadian poison centres, describing calls regarding selected cleaning products and presenting year-over-year percentage change [ 16 ]. According to the authors, there were 3408 (42%) calls related to bleaches; 2015 (25%) to hand sanitizers; 1667 (21%) to disinfectants; 949 (12%) to chlorine gas; and 148 (2%) to chloramine gas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposures and suspected intoxications during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: preliminary results from an Italian poison control centre

et al. 2021

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Data on cleaner and disinfectant exposure and misuse-related acute intoxications in Italy during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are still lacking. The aim of the present study was to analyse and describe cleaner and disinfectant-related intoxications during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in an Italian poison control centre. Data were obtained from the toxicological consultations requested to the Toxicology Unit and Poison Centre, Careggi University Hospital, Florence (Italy). We compared data from January 1st to April 30th of 2019 and 2020. Data concerning probable or acute intoxication from any causative agent in the general population (all age groups), from private individuals or from Regional and National health structures, were included in the analysis. A toxicological evaluation was also performed to calculate the Poisoning Severity Score.In 2019, 451 phone counselling sessions were performed and compared to a total of 410 calls received during the same period of 2020. In both periods, the majority of events occurred in paediatric (0–17 years) and adult (18–65 years) patients, who were mainly exposed to one toxic agent, and intoxications took place principally at home due to domestic accidents. The oral route of intoxication was the most frequently observed one, followed by inhalation of toxic agents, which increased by 4.7% in 2020. In 2020, sanitizers and cleaners were reported in 21.6% of cases compared to 12.5% in 2019. This is the first study describing cleaner and disinfectant-related intoxications in Italy. Our results suggested a possible misuse of these products during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, underling the effects of home isolation on mental health and unintentional toxic exposures.

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Increases in exposure calls related to selected cleaners and disinfectants at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic: data from Canadian poison centres

Cited by 31 publications

References 2 publications

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on household disinfectant consumption behaviors and related environmental concerns: A questionnaire-based survey in China

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on household disinfectant consumption behaviors and related environmental concerns: A questionnaire-based survey in China

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

Exposures and suspected intoxications during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: preliminary results from an Italian poison control centre

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