Search
Transfer of chemical from their original container to an unlabeled or different container (e.g. Gatorade bottle) is one of the common causes of unintentional poisoning.
A retrospective study of National Poison Data System from 2007 – 2017 identified 45,512 cases of unintentional exposure/ingestion of chemicals contained in unlabeled/incorrectly labeled containers.
Result
Annual reported cases increased from 3,223 in 2007 to 5,417 in 2017.
- Median age: 30 years (interquartile range: 6 – 53)
- Female: 52%
Most commonly involved products included
- Cleaning products: 38.2%
- Bleach, 18.8%
- Peroxides, 5.7%
- Anionic cleaners, 4.6%
- Disinfectants: 17.3%
- Hydrocarbons: 5.0%
These exposures led to
- ED visits: 9,369 (20.6%)
- Hospitalization: 1,856 (4.1%)
- Deaths: 23 (0.1%)
The majority of these exposures were non-toxic in nature (72%) but serious outcomes were noted in 4.4% of the cases, including 23 deaths.
Highest morbidity was associated with:
- Pesticides: 10.3%
- Prescription medications: 9.8%
- Herbicides: 7.6%
Deaths
- Hydrofluoric acid and herbicides accounted for 13 of 23 deaths (57%), followed by cleaning products (7/23).
Conclusion
- Transfer of a chemical to unlabeled/different container is a well-recognized risk factor of poisoning.
- Although small in number, the annual reported cases to the regional poison center are increasing.
References
Carpenter JE et al. Poisonings due to storage in a secondary container reported to the National Poison Data System, 2007-2017. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2020.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2020.1833026