The one place that you would expect them to be protected from the dangers of
the world…but it’s not! Every year millions of children and pets are poisoned
by hazardous household products, while millions more have their health
affected in various ways by the long term, low dose exposure to the chemicals
contained in some of these products. This article concentrates on acute
poisonings.
Many people don’t realize it but the average home contains several gallons of
hazardous household products and a recent survey by the EPA revealed some
startling findings: almost half of all households with children under five had at
least one pesticide stored in an unlocked cabinet within the reach of the child.
Most likely other harmful products are stored in a similar way.
These findings are disturbing because statistics show that the vast majority of
acute poisonings involving young children and pets are due to an accidental
exposure to an improperly stored product. More dangerous that firearms! CDC
statistics show that each year more children die as a result of accidental
poisonings at home than are accidentally killed with guns at home.
Given the vast array of household products now available and with their
various degrees of toxicity it is imperative that pet owners and parents
familiarize themselves with every product that they bring into their home.
Unfortunately, most people do not take the time to read the warning labels on
the packages and are unaware of the products that pose a serious risk to their
pet or child and consequently fail to use or store them safely.
Since 1960, the Federal Hazardous Substance Act requires all household
products to be properly labeled according to the degree of toxicity of the
product. Products labeled "caution" are minimally toxic and may result in
minor eye or skin irritation. Products labeled "warning" are moderately toxic
and will result in a more serious injury. Products that are labeled "Danger-
Poison" are highly toxic, caustic (corrosive) or extremely flammable and will
result in a severe, life-threatening or fatal injury if a child or pet comes in
contact with or ingests the product.
Several areas of the house including the kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, and
garage or storage shed are where most hazardous products are stored and most
poisonings occur.
Hazardous products that are frequently involved in home poisoning include
the following:
Home, yard and car maintenance supplies: paint, varnish, lacquer, wood stain
and preservatives, paint remover, rust remover, metal polishers, swimming
pool chemicals, weed killer, insecticides and pesticides, rat and mouse poison,
snail bait, gas, oil, antifreeze, car polish and wax, brake and transmission fluid,
windshield washer fluid
Household cleaners: laundry detergent, fabric softener, spot remover, bleach,
ammonia, floor cleaners and disinfectants, drain cleaner, oven cleaner, toilet
bowl cleaner, electric dishwasher detergent
Other: air fresheners, hair spray, nail polish remover, cosmetics, denture
cleaner, button batteries, liquid potpourri containers, vitamins, medicines
While some of these products are minimally toxic and may only produce
minor skin or eye irritation many others are highly poisonous and cause
significant injury or death. It is these products that parents and pet owners
must be especially aware of and extra cautious with.
Some of the most hazardous products found in the home are "corrosives" and
may contain a concentrated acid or alkaline solution. Contact with a corrosive
substance will result in a severe chemical burn to the skin, permanent eye
injury or blindness if splashed in the eyes or severe oral and esophageal burns
if the product is ingested. Common household products that contain
corrosives include toilet bowl, drain and oven cleaners, concentrated bleach
(mildew remover) and ammonia solutions, swimming pool chemicals and
some automatic dishwasher detergents.
Petroleum distillates are also highly toxic and found in a variety of household
products including laundry spot remover, automotive products, paint thinners,
and some cleaning agents. Ingestion of petroleum distillates by a child or a pet
may lead to a fatal aspiration pneumonia, while dermal exposure may result in
severe skin damage. (continued on page 2)
Arthritis
Atopy (Inhalant Allergy)
Bufo Toad Poisoning
Cat Home Safety Tips
Collar Hazards
Common Things to Watch for
Dental Disease in Pets
Diabetes
Dog Safety Tips
Feline Heartworm Disease
Mallassezia (yeast) Dermatitis
Reasons to Neuter
Noise Phobia in Dogs
Weight Problems in Pets
Otitis (Ear Infections)
Parvo Virus
Pruritis (Itchiness)
Rabies
Seizures and Epilepsy
Senior Pets
Reasons to Spay
Toxoplasmosis, Cats and Women
