title: Labelling of household products and prevention of unintentional poisoning.
abstract: Unintentional poisoning occurs mainly in childhood due to ingestion of common household products. A decisive factor is the lack of knowledge concerning the potential toxicity of these products. A random study of 158 labels of cleaning products was conducted at the National Institute of Quality Control in Health--Brazil. Health hazard warnings, first aid in case of poisoning and storage instructions were evaluated to assess the quality of information provided to the consumer regarding the risks inherent in these products. Among these labels, 75% were considered inadequate since they did not provide all cautionary information necessary to avoid the health hazards associated with these products. First aid instructions in the case of inhalation were missing on more than 50% of labels studied and 47% did not recommend taking the label to a health professional in case of accident. Furthermore, the labels did not provide other important warnings such as "read before use" and "keep in original container': The results indicate that the labelling of cleaning products does not provide all safety information recommended for consumers.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Farmacologia e Toxicologia, Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro RJ. rosaura.presgrave@incqs.fiocruz.br
authors.forename: Rosaura Farias
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: de Presgrave
authors.forename: Eloisa Nunes
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Luiz Antônio Bastos
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Camacho
authors.forename: Maria Helena Simões Villas
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Bôas
mesh_terms: D004348:Drug Labeling; D006795:Household Products / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D011041:Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control