Gareth Manning, Sunday Gleaner reporter

Carelessness, inappropriate labelling and improper storage of household chemicals led to an increase in the number of children ingesting poisonous substances last year, the Caribbean Poison Information Network (CARPIN) revealed yesterday.

bleach popular

There were 484 cases of accidental poisoning last year, compared to 482 in 2006. Of the total number of cases last year, 75 per cent or 361 occurred in children under five years. Three hundred and six of the children were under two years old.

The main chemical ingested was bleach, which occurred in 29 per cent of cases; medications, pesticides and kerosene followed. Pesticides were more commonly consumed by adults.

While the Corporate Area had the greatest numbers of accidental poisoning cases reported, the highest rate of poisoning actually occurred in Portland, the officials noted, followed by Westmoreland and St Mary.

Incidentally, only a month ago, close to five children of the Bradford Preparatory School in Buff Bay, Portland, had to be hospitalised after a toy, known as 'stink bomb', imploded in a classroom. The toxic fumes from the bomb caused the students to experience nausea, breathing difficulties and diarrhoea.

some cases lead to death

CARPIN warns that while in some cases the effects of poisoning are minimal and no medical follow-up is required, there are many cases where the effects are major and death occurs. Some of the effects, it warns, include liver, kidney and respiratory failure.

CARPIN is encouraging parents to exercise greater care in labelling household products and keeping them out of the reach of small children.