Emergency Physicians Warn of Toxic Car Cleaning Products

Wheel Cleaner Proves Nearly Fatal to Toddlers

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 1996 -- In two separate incidents, a toddler nearly died after coming in contact with a very small amount of a widely available car wheel cleaner, according to a report in the December issue of the Annals of Emergency Medicine.

Each child was rushed to the emergency department after becoming drowsy and vomiting, but other signs of chemical poisoning were not initially apparent. Both children appeared to get better, then experienced cardiac arrest. When the parents remembered that their child had been playing near a bottle of ARMOR ALL(TM) Quicksilver wheel cleaner, emergency physicians were quickly able to diagnose and treat for poisoning.

One child, who was believed to have been sprayed with the cleaner, has some long-term motor and speech delays. The other child recovered completely.

Authors found that the combination of ingredients in the cleaner may have delayed serious symptoms and caused an initial underestimation of the severity of exposure. "These are the first two cases we have seen from a hydrofluoride acid-like substance, mainly ammonium bifluoride, but the general public frequently uses similar cleaners for automobile care," says Anthony Scalzo, MD, senior author and an emergency physician. When tested, traces of a toxic ingredient in the wheel cleaner were found in both children.

"The number of reported cases is small but parents need to be aware of the extreme toxicity of these cleaning products," says Ann Klasner, MD, first author and senior emergency medicine fellow. Less than one teaspoon of the ammonium bifluoride mix can prove dangerous to children. To prevent these kinds of problems, emergency physicians recommend:

• Use extreme caution when using or storing any cleaning products containing hydrofluoric acid and ammonium bifluoride. If ingredients aren't listed, READ LABEL CAREFULLY FOR WARNINGS.

• Never leave household cleaning products where children, especially toddlers, can reach them and keep these products in locked cabinets when they are not being used.

• Never put a household product in a different container.

• Try to buy products with child-resistant packaging and urge manufacturers to package potentially toxic household products in child-resistant packaging. Remember that even products with child-resistant packaging must be kept safely away from young children.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is investigating potential hazards with products containing ammonium bifluoride. CPSC has received several reports of adverse health effects associated with products containing ammonium bifluoride.

The Quicksilver label claims the product will "safely and effortlessly clean your wheels," and does not have child-resistant packaging, although it does warn to keep out of the reach of children.

CONTACT: Laurie Hall of the American College of Emergency Physicians, 202-728-0610 ext. 3009, or, fax, 202-728-0617, or 1-800-320-0610, ext. 3009