Poisonings due to storage in a secondary container reported to the National Poison Data System, 2007–2017

Abstract

Background

Transfer of xenobiotics from their original container to an unlabeled or secondary container is a well-identified risk factor for poisoning. Nonetheless, recent large-scale data on the practice are unavailable. The objective of this study is to describe the incidence and features of poisonings in the United States due to xenobiotics stored in a secondary container.

Methods

This was a retrospective review of the National Poison Data System (NPDS) from 2007 to 2017. Non-suicidal exposures associated with the scenario “container transfer involved (product transferred from original container to unlabeled container, incorrectly labeled container, or food container for use or storage and patient accessed product from second container)" were included.

Results

Forty-five thousand five hundred and twelve cases were included. The median age of subjects was 30 years (interquartile range: 6–53); 52% were female. Cleaning products (38.2%), disinfectants (17.3%), and hydrocarbons (5.0%) were the most common xenobiotics reported. The annual incidence of cases increased over the study period. There were 9369 (20.6%) ED visits and 1856 (4.1%) hospital admissions. Most cases (72%) were deemed nontoxic or resulted in no effects; 4.4% resulted in serious outcomes (moderate effects, major effects, or death), including 23 deaths. Morbidity was highest for pesticides, prescription medications, and herbicides, with 10.3%, 9.8%, and 7.6% of cases resulting in serious outcomes, respectively. Hydrofluoric acid and herbicides were associated with the most deaths (13/23 [57%]).

Conclusions

Transfer of xenobiotics to a secondary container is a scenario increasingly reported to U.S. poison centers. Although most exposures do not result in significant toxicity, ED visits are common and substantial morbidity can occur. This represents an opportunity for public health intervention to curb the practice.

Keywords:

• Poison Control Centers
• consumer product safety
• product packaging
• drug packaging
• poison prevention

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Prior presentations

Partial results of this study were presented at the American College of Medical Toxicology Annual Scientific Meeting, March 2020, New York, NY.

Data availability statement

The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) maintains the National Poison Data System (NPDS), which houses de-identified case records of self-reported information collected from callers during exposure management and poison information calls managed by the country’s poison control centers (PCCs). NPDS data do not reflect the entire universe of exposure to a particular substance as additional exposure may go unreported to PCCs; accordingly, NPDS data should not be construed to represent the complete incidence of U.S. exposures to any substance(s). Exposure does not necessarily represent a poisoning or overdose and AAPCC is no able to completely verify the accuracy of every report. Findings based on NPDS data do not necessarily reflect the opinions of AAPCC.