An edifying report. Thursday September 7, ANSES warned of an increase in misuse of disinfectants in nursery schools. Between 2017 and 2022, the health agency says it has recorded around a hundred skin injuries, sometimes serious burns, in young children. After several reports of severe skin damage in young children in the community, the National Health Security Agency analyzed accidents related to the use of biocidal disinfectants in 2017-2022.
Over this period, 118 cases of skin damage were recorded by poison control centers in children in communities, most often in nursery schools following the disinfection of toilets, the health agency noted.
“Although the vast majority of skin damage was of low severity, eleven children nevertheless presented with a second-degree burn and one child required a skin graft for a third-degree burn on the buttock,” pointed out ANSES in a statement. With more fragile skin, children under six are the population most affected, “especially little girls, who systematically sit on the toilet bowl,” she noted.
For these accidents, “a sharp increase was observed in 2020 and 2021, most likely linked to the reinforcement of disinfection actions implemented during the Covid-19 epidemic, in particular the disinfection of objects such as tables, chairs, toys,” said ANSES. But new cases were reported in early 2023, showing that the problem persists, she added.
“Accidents are mainly linked to errors in the use of disinfectants (absence of rinsing or dilution, product unsuitable for the use made of it, etc.)”, which “could have been favored” by methods of variable use depending on the disinfected surface, instructions for use not available or even confusing information on the labels, according to scientists.
To limit the risk of accidents with disinfectants, ANSES recommends using products suitable for the surfaces, favoring the least dangerous products, ready to use, with clear and simple instructions for use, rinsing the products after application or accidental spillage, do not carry out disinfection cleaning in the presence of children or train staff.
In the event of contact with the skin, remove impregnated clothing and wash the skin thoroughly with water. If the contaminated area is large or if skin lesions appear, consult a doctor or call a poison control center.
