Morbidity and mortality following inadvertent poisoning with decanted chemicals

Decanting of chemicals from their original containers is a hazardous practice that can result in inadvertent poisoning. We conducted a four-year prospective observational study to analyse the epidemiology of accidental poisoning with decanted chemicals. 157 patients were poisoned following accidental exposure to chemicals transferred to innocuous containers. 106 patients attended hospital emergency departments, 17 attended a general practitioner and 34 were instructed to seek medical advice if symptomatic. 112 patients developed clinical features, 9 patients required admission to intensive care and 4 of these needed intubation and ventilation. There was 1 fatality following inadvertent ingestion of paraquat. The predominant symptoms were gastrointestinal upset and a burning sensation in the mouth, throat, and stomach. Decanted chemicals included household, industrial, automobile, and agricultural products. Caustic agents accounted for approximately 33% of decanted chemicals. Decanting of chemicals into innocuous containers results in significant morbidity, mortality, and cost to the health service.