WRITTEN QUESTION E-2302/97 by Caroline Jackson (PPE) to the Commission (3 July 1997)

Subject: Draft Commission Directive adapting to technical progress Annex I to Council Directive 76/769/EEC

Will the Commission indicate what research it has undertaken to support its contention in the above proposal that children are attracted to colourings in lamp oils, and if no such research exists, will the Commission undertake to withdraw its proposal until the required research has been carried out and has proven that such measures are required for the health and safety of the European consumer?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2302/97 and P-2377/97 given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (30 July 1997)

Poisoning of small children following the ingestion of lamp-oils has been documented in many Member States. The oils which are used as fuel in decorative lamps are an aspiration hazard and can following ingestion cause severe lung damage, even death. These oils are very attractive to children aged 1 to 3 years because of their bright colours, looking in many cases like fruit-syrup.

This kind of accident has been known since the late 1980's, when a Danish study based on European home and leisure accident surveillance system (EHLASS) data lead to legislative measures in Denmark. Legislation is also in force in Norway since the late 1980's prohibiting the use of coloured lamp-oils.

Accidents involving small children drinking lamp-oils have been documented and reported by the national poison centres. The incidence of poisoning in many Member States is in the region of 10 cases per year per million inhabitants. Deaths have also been reported in Germany.

Studies on this type of accidents have also been carried out at poison centres in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Sweden. Information from 12 Member States could also be made available from the EHLASS programme.

Belgium

130 cases were reported between 1995-1996 to the poison centre. The majority of the calls concerned children (111), many of less than two years (48), and many between 2-4 (44). 25% were sent to hospital.

Denmark

A Danish study from 1989, based on EHLASS data, reports 11 accidents over a period of one year. Incident rates before and after legislation in 1993 were for 1989-1992, 301 per million inhabitants, and for 1993-1996, 177 per million inhabitants.

Germany

The Federal institute for health protection of consumers and veterinary medicine reported 250-300 cases of chemical pneumonitis between 1993-1995. On the evolution of cases since 1990, it have recorded an increase in calls for information following cases of poisoning, the figures in fact having doubled between 1990 and 1995 (from 429 to 886 per year). Lamp oil is the most frequent noxious agent causing problems to children (followed by drain cleaners, paints, insecticide and cleaning products).

A more detailed study was carried out in 1996. The Institute recorded 21 cases of children under 2 years who were taken to hospital because of lamp oil intoxication, of which 16 cases involved coloured or perfumed oils. In the remaining cases this information about the product was not available.

The Netherlands

Due to the increasing number of poisonings by lamp oil a study was carried out in 1996 by the National poisons control centre (NVIC) in close co-operation with the General institute for health protection (HIGB). Questionnaires were circulated for all cases of possible poisoning by lamp oils on which the NVIC had been consulted (165 cases). The majority of the patients was aged 1-2 years. In 68% of the cases the children drank from the lamp and in 23% ingestion from the bottle was reported. Symptoms were reported for 77% of patients. Effects most frequently observed were coughing, vomiting and lethargy or drowsiness. Chemical pneumonitis was reported in about 10% of the cases.

Austria

Between May 1994 and February 1997 there were 150-200 calls following cases of poisoning in Austria asking for information on this subject. There were 25 poisonings treated in hospital, 18 requiring long term treatment. In about 50% of the cases information about the product was available. In about 90% of these cases coloured or perfumed oils were the cause of the poisoning. The accidents usually occurred at home and involved children aged 1 to 6.

Sweden

At the Swedish poison information centre petroleum distillates are ranked as third in the league of chemical agents most commonly causing incidents to children under ten. Some 500 inquiries per year are registered of children drinking petroleum distillates of the type used in oil-lamps. A majority of the cases involve barbecue starters. Lamp oils are involved in around 150 cases every year.