The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today it will propose a safety regulation for pacifiers to avert suffocation of infants.
Pacifiers that are too small or readily come apart have been associated with the suffocation deaths of infants following accidental ingestions.
Earlier this year, the Commission and an importer conducted a recall of certain small size pacifiers after a child died following accidental ingestion.
Indepth investigations by CPSC staff from 1970 through 1975 show that there were at least eight deaths associated with pacifiers. Six victims died when they were strangled by the ribbon or string used to secure the pacifiers around their necks. One child died when a disassembled pacifier lodged in his throat, causing suffocation. One infant died when a pacifier stimulated vomiting causing suffocation.
A pacifier rule was first proposed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1972 before the Federal Hazardous Substances Act was transferred to the CPSC. CPSC has substantially revised that proposed rule on the basis of information received from comment on the FDA proposal and on the basis of studies by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) and by CPSC staff.
Generally, the proposed regulation would reduce the risk of pacifier ingestions by children by requiring a shield or guard large enough so that it couldn't enter a baby's mouth.
The regulation also calls for a handle small enough so that a pacifier cannot be jammed into a child's mouth if the child accidentally tumbles or turns in its crib.
The revised regulation also calls for a warning label that would alert parents and others who take care of children of the hazard associated with tying a pacifier around a child's neck with ribbon or string.
One section of the proposed regulation would prohibit the selling of pacifiers with ribbons, cords or strings attached.
Another provision calls for the inclusion of art least two ventilation holes in the shield or guard so that if a pacifier is swallowed the risk of asphyxiation may be reduced.
Another provision calls for an effective date 180 days after the rule is made final.
The proposed regulation will be published in the Federal Register with 30 days given for public comments to be received by the agency.
About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. Since the CPSC was established more than 50 years ago, it has worked to ensure the safety of consumer products, which has contributed to a decline in injuries associated with these products.
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