Healthy home for healthy children: Preventing accidental kerosene (paraffin) ingestion in children in developing countries

Background: Besides house and road accidents, in accidental poisoning in children within the house itself, kerosene poisoning is a major problem. In particular in developing countries, where kerosene is still used daily on a large scale for different purposes such as cooking, lightning and for rural medicine. Over the past 15 years, data from Egypt to Sri Lanka have shown that risk. Kerosene accounts for about 60% of pediatric poisonings in Kenya and South Africa. Methods: Analysis of available information and literature in order to: 1. find the main causes for accidental kerosene ingestion and 2. prepare a framework for the prevention of accidental kerosene ingestion in children from developing countries. To obtain a deeper view about the most recent or current scenarios in different parts of the developing world several 'International Program on Chemical Safety' (IPCS) offices and Poison Centers in South-East Asia and the African region were contacted. Results: Kerosene was found as the most common cause of accidental poisoning in children among household poisonings. Mortality was found to be low, but morbidity was high. Children aged 1-3 years were most likely to be involved in accidental kerosene poisoning. Improper storage of kerosene was detected as the main contributory factor for these accidents. Kerosene was found to be stored in jars, bottles or containers previously used for beverages and juices and these were in easy access of children and mistaken by children for something to drink. Conclusion: Accidental kerosene ingestion is a public health issue in the developing world, because children are innocent and parents are not aware and careful enough about storage of kerosene. There is a need for education and increased awareness regarding the poisonous effects of kerosene. Active interventions such as campaigns in schools and local hospitals, performing dramas on the street especially in rural areas, should educate people about safe storage practices. Also they could be provided with safety information (flyer, stickers, symbols etc) and printed information on the back of the pay receipt each time they buy kerosene. Illegal and unsafe kerosene sale has to be stressed.