In an attempt to build the evaluation strategies to assess the human eye irritation, a reassessment of some in vitro tests is necessary, particularly concerning the non-irritants, mild and moderate irritants. Thus, the correlations between results obtained from the Draize test with the in vitro methods HET-CAM (Hens Egg Test-Chorion Allantonic Membrane) and RBC haemolysis assay to assess the ocular irritancy potential of 20 eye drops were examined. Parameters such as accuracy (%) and specificity (%) were determined. All results were correlated with RBC correctly with the results obtained in the Draize test. The HET-CAM presented four false-positive results, showing a tendency of data overestimation. Despite the high specificity provided mainly by the RBC, it would be necessary to test a wider range of products representing all the scales of irritation to confirm its ability to be used as a first alternative to test products that could be presumptive non-irritants.

The aim of this work was to determine the correlation between results obtained from the Draize test and from the Total Protein Content Determination (TPC) to assess the ocular irritancy potential of 20 shampoos. For TPC, two established cell lines (SIRC and 3T3) were used. The concentration that induced 50% inhibition relative to controls (IC50) was calculated for each product. Among shampoos tested with SIRC, only one had a false positive result. However, for the 3T3, three false-negative results were found. Pearson coefficient related to the in vivo value of maximum average score (MAS) was -0.58 (p=0.007) with SIRC and -0.73 (p=0.007) with 3T3. These results showed that the TPC assay was capable to predict the ocular irritant potential of shampoos, and therefore was a promissory tool to be used as a preliminary assay for the detection of irritant products and to be part of a battery of screening tests to minimize the animal use in the Draize Test.

Intoxicações não-intencionais ocorrem principalmente na infância devido à ingestão de produtos de uso doméstico. Um fator determinante é a falta de conhecimento sobre a toxicidade destes produtos. Um estudo aleatório de 158 rótulos de produtos de limpeza foi realizado no Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde - Brasil. Advertência sobre os riscos à saúde, orientações para os primeiros-socorros em caso de envenenamento e instruções de armazenamento foram avaliadas para verificar a qualidade das informações fornecidas ao consumidor sobre os riscos inerentes ao uso destes produtos. Do total de produtos avaliados, 75% foram considerados inadequados porque não forneciam todas as informações necessárias para prevenir danos à saúde decorrentes do seu uso. Instruções para os primeiros-socorros no caso de inalação foram omitidas em mais de 50% dos rótulos estudados e 47% não recomendavam levar o rótulo para o médico em caso de acidente. Além disto, os rótulos não forneciam outras importantes advertências como "ler antes de usar" e "manter no frasco original". Os resultados indicam que a rotulagem dos produtos de limpeza de uso domiciliar não fornece todas as informações para garantir a segurança da população.

Unintentional poisoning occurs mainly in childhood due to ingestion of common household products. A decisive factor is the lack of knowledge concerning the potential toxicity of these products. A random study of 158 labels of cleaning products was conducted at the National Institute of Quality Control in Health - Brazil. Health hazard warnings, first aid in case of poisoning and storage instructions were evaluated to assess the quality of information provided to the consumer regarding the risks inherent in these products. Among these labels, 75% were considered inadequate since they did not provide all cautionary information necessary to avoid the health hazards associated with these products. First aid instructions in the case of inhalation were missing on more than 50% of labels studied and 47% did not recommend taking the label to a health professional in case of accident. Furthermore, the labels did not provide other important warnings such as "read before use" and "keep in original container". The results indicate that the labelling of cleaning products does not provide all safety information recommended for consumers.

Intoxicações não-intencionais ocorrem principalmente na infância devido à ingestão de produtos de uso doméstico. Um fator determinante é a falta de conhecimento sobre a toxicidade destes produtos. Um estudo aleatório de 158 rótulos de produtos de limpeza foi realizado no Instituto Nacional de Controle de Qualidade em Saúde - Brasil. Advertência sobre os riscos à saúde, orientações para os primeiros-socorros em caso de envenenamento e instruções de armazenamento foram avaliadas para verificar a qualidade das informações fornecidas ao consumidor sobre os riscos inerentes ao uso destes produtos. Do total de produtos avaliados, 75% foram considerados inadequados porque não forneciam todas as informações necessárias para prevenir danos à saúde decorrentes do seu uso. Instruções para os primeiros-socorros no caso de inalação foram omitidas em mais de 50% dos rótulos estudados e 47% não recomendavam levar o rótulo para o médico em caso de acidente. Além disto, os rótulos não forneciam outras importantes advertências como "ler antes de usar" e "manter no frasco original". Os resultados indicam que a rotulagem dos produtos de limpeza de uso domiciliar não fornece todas as informações para garantir a segurança da população.

Unintentional poisoning occurs mainly in childhood due to ingestion of common household products. A decisive factor is the lack of knowledge concerning the potential toxicity of these products. A random study of 158 labels of cleaning products was conducted at the National Institute of Quality Control in Health - Brazil. Health hazard warnings, first aid in case of poisoning and storage instructions were evaluated to assess the quality of information provided to the consumer regarding the risks inherent in these products. Among these labels, 75% were considered inadequate since they did not provide all cautionary information necessary to avoid the health hazards associated with these products. First aid instructions in the case of inhalation were missing on more than 50% of labels studied and 47% did not recommend taking the label to a health professional in case of accident. Furthermore, the labels did not provide other important warnings such as "read before use" and "keep in original container". The results indicate that the labelling of cleaning products does not provide all safety information recommended for consumers.