How adequate are warnings and first and instructions on consumer product labels?: an investigation

Abstract

A random survey of 1,019 household product labels was conducted by the NYPCC in retail markets in the New York metropolitan area. The purpose of this survey was to determine whether household product labels adequately define what a consumer should do in the event of a poisoning. The quality of poison warnings, first aid instructions, and the extent of ingredients listed were evaluated. In a qualitative and quantitative analysis of 1,019 household product labels it was found that 85% of the product labels had inadequate first aid information. Of these, 53% demonstrated insufficient labeling, 6% had incorrect, potentially harmful instructions, and in 26% of the cases instructions were absent entirely. In addition, 31% of these 1,019 products had no ingredients' list.U