The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to the public to only use registered drain cleaning products following a recent fatal incident of a mother and two daughters involving toxic gasses emitted by an unregistered drain cleaner in Chonburi. The product, which contained concentrated sulfuric acid, lacked proper registration and labeling, including the manufacturer’s name and address.
Pharmacist Veerachai Nalawachai, Deputy Secretary-General of the FDA, emphasized that drain cleaners are classified as hazardous substances under the 1992 Hazardous Substances Act. Products containing strong acids like sulfuric acid must be registered with the FDA and labeled with clear instructions and warnings. The FDA is gathering evidence to prosecute the manufacturer and distributor of the unregistered product involved in the incident.
The FDA strongly advises consumers to use only products that are registered and display the hazardous substance registration number on the label. Consumers should also strictly follow the product’s instructions and avoid mixing it with other chemicals, as this can result in the release of toxic gasses, which pose severe health risks, including death.
The FDA reminded the public about previous warnings concerning the dangers of mixing bleach with other cleaning agents, which can also lead to hazardous chemical reactions.
The agency urges the public to report any suspicious products that lack proper labeling or registration to help prevent further incidents. (NNT)
