CHAPTER 9: Review of Risk Management Measures to Mitigate Against Exposures to Household Chemical Consumer Products

Exposure to chemicals may potentially cause immediate (i.e. acute) or chronic effects (often resulting from repeated long-term exposures). The global incidence of poisoning from accidental, occupational or intentional exposure to chemicals is not known. However, it is estimated that up to half a million deaths are the result of poisonings due to pesticides or natural toxins. Where children and young people are concerned, two types of risk management measure have been successful; those that are independent of parental action (passive techniques) and those that require parents (or caregivers) to understand the principles behind them (active techniques). Passive techniques include government regulation of product access, such as restrictions on sale, child-resistant packaging and specific package label warnings. Active techniques include proper storage and handling of products and the deliberate purchasing of products in child-resistant packaging. Unintentional exposure to potentially harmful products remains common. While the outcome is usually favourable, there is always an associated cost to the person concerned and to the health system. It is therefore important that efforts continue on the part of product manufacturers to reduce the likelihood of such exposures occurring. There is a need to improve product warnings, labelling and design due to increased global international trade and the need to communicate information to diverse audiences and populations. This should include considerations of language barriers and illiteracy, as well as social and cultural values.