Unintentional Pediatric Exposures to Household Cleaning Products: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the National Poison Data System (2000-2015)

Background: Household cleaning products are the second most common cause of unintentional poisoning in the United States. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed all household cleaner calls classified as ages five and under made to the American Association of Poison Control Centers between the dates of 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2015. Results Significant clinical effects or injury was low, making up only 2.6% of cases with a known medical outcome. Alkali-based cleaning products accounted for the third highest frequency of overall exposures and the highest number of all exposure outcomes determined to have a significant clinical effect or injury. Conclusions Future injury prevention efforts should focus on increased awareness for parents of alkali cleaning products such as oven cleaners and drain cleaners, emphasizing purchasing products with child resistant packaging and proper storage and use practices.