Alcohol in Mouthwash
Poisoning is an important cause of accidental death in children less than 5 years of age. The most frequently ingested poisons are those that are commonly available at home in pleasant-colored containers and are easily accessible. They are usually in containers that are not child-proof. Mouthwash contains varying concentrations of ethanol ranging from a high of 26.9% (53.8 proof) to 14% (28 proof). A potentially lethal dose of absolute ethanol is approximately 3 g/kg (3.8 mL/kg) in a small child.
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During an 18-month period, reports of 422 cases of mouthwash ingestions by children less than 6 years of age were collected by The National Poison Center Network from its member poison centers in selected areas of the United States (unpublished data, 1979).
