It is an excess of hygiene which can prove to be dangerous for health. Using too much disinfectant burns. According to a study published this Thursday, September 7 by the National Health Security Agency (Anses), the products used in schools to disinfect furniture and sanitary facilities can cause accidents, in particular cases of burns among the youngest.
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 disinfectants in 2017-2022. In the majority of cases, the places concerned are kindergartens, and the products in question are “biocides” used to clean toilets.
118 cases of skin lesions
Over this period, 118 cases of skin damage were recorded by poison control centers in children in the community, most often following the disinfection of toilets, noted the health agency. If schools are more affected by these accidents than the rest of public establishments, it is largely because of the fragility of children of this age. “While the skin damage was overwhelmingly of low severity, eleven children nevertheless presented 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. Endowed with more fragile skin, children under six are the most affected population, “especially little girls, who systematically sit on the toilet bowl”, notes the agency in its study.
“To avoid these incidents, we should perhaps take inspiration from what the United States is doing in certain public toilets which automatically offer glasses covers for each new user,” notes the spokesperson for the parents’ federation. students PEEP Laurent Zameczkowski in the columns of the Parisian.
Accidents on the rise between 2020 and 2021
In addition, ANSES observes in its study a sharp increase in accidents related to disinfectant between 2020 and 2021. A year in which the use of these products jumped due to the health measures imposed by the Covid-19 epidemic. : systematic disinfection of toys and other furniture such as tables and chairs… “We had an alert during this period, which we attributed to Covid. But we still have cases that go back, which is why we considered it important to recall the precautionary principles concerning the use of disinfectants in children’s communities”, explained Juliette Bloch, pediatrician and epidemiologist, and director of health alerts and vigilance at ANSES, to our colleagues from the radio. France Inter.
“Accidents are mainly linked to errors in the use of disinfectants (lack 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 ANSES scientists.
To limit the risk of accidents with disinfectants, the health agency 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 cleaning-disinfection in the presence of children or even train personnel.