Cleaning Product-Related Injuries Treated in US Emergency Departments: 2007-2022.

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to comprehensively describe the patterns and trends of household cleaning product-related injuries among children treated in US emergency departments from 2007 to 2022.

METHODS

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was used to examine cases of unintentional, nonfatal, household cleaning product-related injuries among children aged 5 years or younger.

RESULTS

An estimated 240 862 children aged 5 years or younger were treated in US emergency departments for household cleaning product-related injuries. Cleaning product types and containers associated with the most injuries were bleach (30.1%) and detergents (28.6%). Poisoning (64.0%), followed by chemical burn (14.1%) and dermatitis and/or conjunctivitis (11.2%) were the most common diagnoses. Injuries were most associated with detergent packets (33.0%), spray bottles (28.2%), and non-spraying containers (19.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

The consistently high number of household cleaning product-related injuries sustained by the youngest children and new products that have entered the marketplace in the past decade highlights the need for stronger product packaging standards, with emphasis on ensuring that spray bottles and other commonly accessible containers meet child-resistant packaging requirements. These findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive prevention strategies that include safer packaging, public education, and environmental modifications to reduce children's access to toxic household substances.