[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 16, Volume 2]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 16CFR1500.134]

[Page 493]
 
                     TITLE 16--COMMERCIAL PRACTICES
 
             CHAPTER II--CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
 
PART 1500_HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES AND ARTICLES; ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1500.134  Policy on first aid labeling for saline emesis.

    (a) This section states the Consumer Product Safety Commission's 
policy concerning first aid instructions for the use of a salt solution 
to induce vomiting (saline emesis) in the event of ingestion of 
hazardous substances.
    (b) In many cases where hazardous substances are ingested, the 
recommended first aid instructions for inducing vomiting have contained 
a statement that this should be accomplished by drinking a solution of 
salt (sodium chloride) in warm water. At one time, this direction was 
considered medically acceptable. However, the Commission has obtained 
information showing that the instruction to perform saline emesis is no 
longer appropriate. This is because the use of salt to induce vomiting 
can cause severe hypernatremia (salt poisoning) with potentially toxic 
effects, particularly in children 5 years old or younger, the age group 
most often involved in accidental poisonings. In view of the 
availability of safer and more effective emetics such as ipecac syrup, 
the Commission no longer recommends a direction to perform saline emesis 
as a first aid direction for inducing vomiting.
    (c) The Commission believes that, for products for which directions 
for saline emesis have been given in the past, ipecac syrup, U.S.P., is 
the most appropriate emetic, unless a particular contraindication exists 
in connection with any particular hazardous substance.
    (d) The Commission wishes to emphasize that this policy does not 
require that any specific first aid instruction or wording be used. 
Where appropriate, the label may include directions (1) that the victim 
immediately contact a doctor or poison control center and/or (2) that 
vomiting be induced using methods other than salt. It is, of course, the 
manufacturer's responsibility to insure that the label provides enough 
information in addition to first aid instructions to fulfill all other 
labeling required by statute or regulation.

(Sec. 30(a), 86 Stat. 1231 (15 U.S.C. 2079(a)))

[43 FR 33704, Aug. 1, 1978]