Chemistry set poisoning
The BPSU facilitated the surveillance of chemistry set poisoning in 1991. The team collected information on the substances involved, the packaging and associated risk factors and outcomes.
Lead investigator
Dr E Mucklow
About the study
This study undertook surveillance using the BPSU from January 1991 to April 1992. Findings suggested that the packaging of the chemicals within the sets was unsatisfactory. Other risk factors included lack of supervision, emotional factors or genuine accidents. Some risk factors were unidentified.
Figures from the study suggested that although not a widely spread issue, chemistry sets were a definite problem. As these sets contain toxic chemicals freely available to the public, they can be left to those often unsupervised, suggesting further action by legislators and regulatory authorities was needed to prevent further deaths and/or morbidity.
Duration
January 1991 – April 1992
Published papers
Mucklow, E. (1997), CHEMISTRY SET POISONING. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 51: 321-323. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1742-1241.1997.tb11471.x
Support group
Child Accident Prevention Trust
Web: https://www.capt.org.uk Email: safe@capt.org.uk