Reported disinfectant poisonings in children on the rise during pandemic

By Jen Rose Smith, CNN

Updated 3:22 AM ET, Tue April 28, 2020

Researchers for a study published in the <a href="http://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(16)31389-0/fulltext" target="_blank">Annals of Emergency Medicine</a> in 2016 looked at 294 cases of peroxide ingestion over a 10-year period. They found that a large number of cases where patients swallowed high-concentration peroxide resulted in critical illness, some with continued disability or death.
Photos: Common household poisons
Hydrogen peroxide – Researchers for a study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine in 2016 looked at 294 cases of peroxide ingestion over a 10-year period. They found that a large number of cases where patients swallowed high-concentration peroxide resulted in critical illness, some with continued disability or death.
Hide Caption
1 of 10
Biting into <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/10/health/laundry-pod-poisonings/">laundry detergent packets</a> can cause serious injury or even death, according to the National Capital Poison Center. Calls to poison control centers about detergent packets increased 17% from 2013 through 2014, according to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/14/health/gallery/common-household-poisons/index.html">an analysis of national data</a>. A study published in 2017 showed an increase in the number of young children with eye injuries linked to the packets.
Photos: Common household poisons
Laundry products – Biting into laundry detergent packets can cause serious injury or even death, according to the National Capital Poison Center. Calls to poison control centers about detergent packets increased 17% from 2013 through 2014, according to an analysis of national data. A study published in 2017 showed an increase in the number of young children with eye injuries linked to the packets.
Hide Caption
2 of 10
Since 2010, poison control center hotlines across the United States have seen a nearly 400% increase in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/14/health/hand-sanitizer-poisoning/">calls related to children younger than 12 ingesting hand sanitizer</a>, according to an analysis by the Georgia Poison Center.
Photos: Common household poisons
Hand sanitizer – Since 2010, poison control center hotlines across the United States have seen a nearly 400% increase in calls related to children younger than 12 ingesting hand sanitizer, according to an analysis by the Georgia Poison Center.
Hide Caption
3 of 10
Cosmetics and personal care products are the leading cause of poison exposures in children younger than 6, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
Photos: Common household poisons
Personal care products – Cosmetics and personal care products are the leading cause of poison exposures in children younger than 6, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
Hide Caption
4 of 10
Household cleaning products are the second-leading cause of poison exposures in children younger than 6, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
Photos: Common household poisons
Household cleaners – Household cleaning products are the second-leading cause of poison exposures in children younger than 6, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
Hide Caption
5 of 10
Painkillers such as acetaminophen account for 10% of poison exposures in children younger than 6 and 7% of poison exposures in children ages 6 to 12 years, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
Photos: Common household poisons
Painkillers – Painkillers such as acetaminophen account for 10% of poison exposures in children younger than 6 and 7% of poison exposures in children ages 6 to 12 years, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
Hide Caption
6 of 10
Some vitamins, such as adult iron supplements, look like candy to children. The amount of iron in an adult tablet can be a toxic dose to a small child, according to the National Capital Poison Center.