With an estimated 191,000 playground equipment related injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms involving children under age 15 in 1986: and because many people experience respiratory and other illnesses associated with indoor pollution CPSC today voted unanimously for Childrens Playground Equipment and Indoor Air Quality as its 1989 priorities.
From 1980 through 1985, there has been an average of at least 15 deaths each year on playground equipment. Over'40% or some 88,000 of the 191,000 injuries treated in 1986 involved toddlers and preschool youngsters with an injury rate of about 4.0 per 1,000, somewhat higher than that for older children.
Previous analyses of playground related injury data revealed that deaths and incapacitating injuries resulted from falls, hanging, head entrapment, being struck by a moving part of equipment, and contact with protrusions, pinch points, sharp edges and sharp points. According to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report, respiratory diseases (acute and chronic) rank first as a cause of bed disability days. Consumers are often unaware of any problems associated with the use of household products or appliances which contribute to indoor air pollution.
Although all respiratory disease is not solely due to indoor air pollution, many lung disorders have been attributed to and are exacerbated by indoor pollution.
CPSC asserted that everyone is exposed to indoor pollution at one time or another...and, the populations at greatest risk, the young and the elderly are often exposed for the greatest amounts of time.
The Commission said the purpose of the playground equipment project is to reduce the number and severity of injuries and the number of deaths associated with playground equipment to victims of all ages and particularly to toddlers and preschool children by encouraging the safer design of playgrounds and equipment.
The purpose of the indoor air quality priority is to develop the necessary technical information from which to provide consumers, state and local health departments, health associations and other government agencies with accurate and concise information on indoor air problems.
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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