Submitted by administrator on
Aerosol cans. They are found in the kitchen, the garage, the bathroom and the cupboards. And they can pose a serious threat to the health of our children.
Children account for more than half of emergency medical visits for eye damage caused by aerosol spray cans each year. In almost every case, these injuries are all preventable with proper care.
Children aged 0-4 years made up the largest group of those injured by the pressurized cans contents, but the number of older children reporting injuries is also growing.
The numbers of victims could be even higher, since only emergency visits were reported in the most recent study and not visits to clinics or local physicians. The most common injuries were, not surprisingly, accidental self-inflicted spray, although there have been an alarming numbers of cans bursting as well. Damages to the eyes include irritation, chemical burns, scratches and bruises to the eyeball.
The most common aerosol culprits are spray paint, personal hygiene products (most notably hairspray), cleaning products and insect sprays. Experts say small warning labels on the cans are not enough.
The cans are often brightly colored and have odors children might find attractive or at least interesting.
Consumer advocates are seeking larger warning labels, increased counseling from ophthalmologists, optometrists and pediatricians to parents on aerosol can storage, and available googles in hardware stores where spray paint cans are in reach of children.
Such measures could potentially half the number of eye-related aerosol can injuries each year.