Prevent Iron Poisonings And Child Deaths

The U.S. makers of iron supplements and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have joined in a publicity campaign urging adults to help protect young children from accidental ingestion of iron supplements. As part of the program, iron supplement manufacturers independently have agreed to develop new voluntary warning labels for these products.

Iron supplementation is essential for many people, especially women of childbearing age, but iron is also the number one cause of fatal poisonings among U.S. children under three. At least 25 have died during the past five years. A key problem is adults who don't take the necessary measures to prevent iron poisonings.

"We want people to remember two things," said CPSC Chairman Jacqueline Jones-Smith. "One, re-close the child-resistant package -- every time, and two, keep the product out of the reach of children -- all of the time."

The Nonprescription Drug Manufacturers Association (NDMA), which represents U.S. makers of over-the-counter iron supplements, said the new voluntary warning labels on iron supplements will read: "Warning: Close tightly and keep out of reach of children. Contains iron, which can be harmful or fatal to children in large doses. In case of accidental overdose, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately."

CPSC's mission is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction.

NDMA members manufacture about 95 percent of the nonprescription, over-the-counter medicines available to Americans today.