A variety of products commonly found around the home are completely nontoxic or cause little or no toxicity after typical accidental exposures. Treatment is rarely required because the ingredients are not toxic, the concentrations of potentially toxic ingredients are minimal, or the construction or packaging of the product is such that a significant dose of a harmful ingredient is extremely unlikely.
Table II-42 lists a number of products considered nontoxic. However, the taste or texture of the product may be disagreeable or cause mild stomach upset. Also, some of the products listed can create a foreign-body effect or a choking hazard, depending on the formulation and the age of the child. Table II-43 provides examples of products that may cause mild GI upset but are generally not considered toxic after small ingestions. Stomach cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea may occur, but each of these is usually mild and self-limited. Table II-44 lists several other products that often are ingested by small children with minimal effect. Although they may contain potentially toxic ingredients, the concentration or packaging makes it very unlikely that symptoms will occur after a small exposure.
TABLE II-42. NONTOXIC OR MINIMALLY TOXIC PRODUCTSaAir fresheners Aluminum foil Antiperspirants Ashes, wood/fireplace Aspartame Baby lotion (Note: Baby oil can cause aspiration pneumonitis; see Hydrocarbons.) Baby powder (without talc) Baby wipes Ballpoint pen ink Calamine lotion Candles Chalkb Charcoal Charcoal briquettes Cigarette ashes Cigarette filter tips (unsmoked) Clay Cold packs (for large ingestions, see “Nitrates,”) Crayons Deodorants Desiccants | Diapers, disposable Erasers Eye makeup Felt tip markers and pens Fingernail polish (dry) Glitter Glow stick/jewelry Gum Gypsum Incense Indelible markers Ink (without aniline dyes) Kitty litter Lip balm Lipstick Magic markers Makeup Mascara Matches (<3 paper books) Mylar balloons Newspaper Paraffin Pencils (contain graphite, not lead) Photographs Plaster | Plastic Playdoh Putty Rouge Rust Saccharin Shellac (dry) Sheetrock Shoe polish Silica gel Silly putty Soil Stamp pad ink Starch Styrofoam Superglue Teething rings Thermometers (phthalates/alcohol, gallium) Wall board Watercolor paints Wax Zinc oxide ointment |
aThese items are virtually nontoxic in small-to-moderate exposures. However, the taste or texture of the product may result in mild stomach upset. In addition, some of the products may cause a foreign-body effect or choking hazard, depending on the size of the product and the age of the child.
bPlain drawing chalk. (Old pool-cue chalk may contain lead. “Chinese chalk” contains pyrethrins.)
A & D Ointment Antacids Antibiotic ointments Antifungal creams Bath and body soaps Bleach (household, <6% hypochlorite) Body lotions and creams Bubble bath Bubbles Carbamide peroxide 6.5% Chalk (calcium carbonate) Corticosteroids, oral and topical | Dishwashing liquid soaps (not electric dishwasher type) Fabric softeners Fertilizers (nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash) Glycerin Guaifenesin Hair shampoos and conditioners Hand soaps Hydrocortisone cream Hydrogen peroxide 3% Kaolin Lactase Lanolin | Latex paint Personal lubricants Petroleum jelly Plant food Shaving cream Simethicone Sunscreen/suntan lotions (allergic reactions possible) Toothpaste (without fluoride) Zinc oxide topical ointments |
aThe items in this list usually have little or no effect in small ingestions. In moderate-to-large ingestions, gastrointestinal effects such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach cramps, and vomiting may occur. The effects are usually mild and rarely require medical intervention.
| Products | Comments |
|---|---|
Miscellaneous |
These products contain capsaicin, the main ingredient in chili peppers. Exposure causes intense mucous membrane irritation and a burning sensation. Treat with topical liquid antacids. |
| Cyanoacrylate glues | Ingestion is harmless. Cyanide is not released. Corneal abrasions may occur after ocular exposure. Adhesion of skin and eyelids is possible after dermal exposure. Treat adhesions with petrolatum-based ointment. |
| Fire extinguishers | The two common types contain sodium bicarbonate (white powder) or monoammonium phosphate (yellow powder). Small ingestions result in little to no effect. Mucous membrane irritation is common. Major risk is pneumonitis after extensive inhalation. |
| Fluorescent light bulbs | Contain inert gases, nontoxic powder, and trace amounts of elemental mercury. May cause mucous membrane irritation. |
| Oral contraceptives | Birth control pills contain varying amounts of estrogens and progesterones. In excessive amounts, these may cause stomach upset and in females transient vaginal spotting. Some formulations may contain iron. |
| Thermometers (mercury) | Household fever thermometers contain less than 0.5 mL of liquid mercury, which is harmless if swallowed. Clean up cautiously to avoid dispersing mercury as mist or vapor (ie, do not vacuum). |
| Household pesticides | Numerous formulations. Some contain hydrocarbon solvents; others are water-based. Pesticides used may include pyrethrins, organophosphates, or carbamates, but generally of low potency and in concentrations of less than 1.5%. The risk for pesticide poisoning is very low unless there is intentional massive exposure. Symptoms after exposure are due mainly to inhalation of the hydrocarbon solvent |
| Topical monthly flea control products | Formulations include fipronil and imidacloprid. Low oral toxicity after ingestion of less than 2-3 mL. Dermal and ocular irritation may occur. |
Respiratory irritants Baby powders (talc containing), spray starch |
These products have little or no toxicity when ingested. However, if aspirated into the lungs, they can cause an inflammatory pneumonitis. |
aThese products may contain small amounts of potentially toxic ingredients but rarely cause problems because of the small concentrations or conditions of exposure.
In all cases involving exposures to these substances, attempt to confirm the identity and/or ingredients of the product and ensure that no other, more toxic products were involved. Determine whether there are any unexpected symptoms or evidence of choking or foreign-body effect. Advise the parent that mild GI upset may occur. Water or another liquid may be given to reduce the taste or texture of the product. For symptomatic eye exposures, follow the instructions for ocular decontamination.