A new analysis compiled by Anidjar & Levine reveals a troubling and often overlooked reality in the United States. Young children are routinely exposed to dangerous chemicals at levels that public health experts say should alarm parents, lawmakers, and medical professionals. The study draws from federal datasets, poison control records, and academic research to paint a detailed picture of how widespread and severe the problem has become.
The findings show that chemical exposure is not a fringe issue. It is a national pattern affecting millions of families, with infants and toddlers facing the highest risks. The data also shows that exposure is happening in ordinary places like homes, daycares, and playgrounds, and often through everyday products that adults assume are safe.
Below is a breakdown of the most significant data points uncovered in the study.
Poison Control Centers: Nearly 2.1 Million Human Exposures in 2023
In 2023, the 55 U.S. Poison Control Centers handled almost 2.1 million human exposure cases. Children aged 0 to 5 accounted for 40 percent of all calls. That means more than 800,000 young children were involved in chemical exposure incidents in a single year.
The study highlights that most of these exposures involved common household items. This includes medications, cleaning products, cosmetics, and other substances that are often stored within reach of curious toddlers.
Child Fatalities Have Risen Sharply Since 2019
While child deaths from chemical exposure have decreased dramatically since the 1970s, recent years show a concerning reversal. According to the study, child fatalities increased significantly between 2019 and 2022 and remained high in 2023.
Pediatric Fatalities Due to Chemical Exposure (2019 to 2023)
2019: 34 deaths 2020: 43 deaths 2021: 59 deaths 2022: 97 deaths 2023: 90 deaths
The 2023 fatality rate of 4.87 deaths per million children is the highest recorded since 1991.
One of the most striking findings is the rise in deaths linked to narcotics and psychodysleptics. Fatalities classified under ICD‑10 code X42 doubled from 33 in 2021 to 66 in 2023.
What Is Killing Children? Analgesics Lead the List
Between 2019 and 2024, the leading cause of child deaths reported to Poison Control Centers was analgesic pain medications.
Top Causes of Child Death Due to Chemicals
• Analgesics: 81 fatal cases (23.9 percent) • Fumes, gases, vapors: 47 cases (13.4 percent) • Stimulants and street drugs: 24 cases (7.1 percent) • Batteries: 22 cases (6.5 percent) • Unknown drugs: 19 cases (5.6 percent)
These numbers show that both household medications and environmental hazards play major roles in child fatalities.
UC Davis Health: Children Carry Dozens of Chemicals in Their Bodies
One of the most revealing components of the study comes from UC Davis Health. Researchers analyzed urine samples from 201 children across four states between 2010 and 2021. They tested for 111 chemicals.
The results were stark.
Key Findings
• 96 chemicals were found in at least five children • 48 chemicals were found in more than half of the children • 34 chemicals were found in more than 90 percent of children • 9 chemicals detected are not tracked in national health surveys
These chemicals came from food, dust, air, plastics, and personal care products. Many are known to disrupt hormones, impair development, or increase long‑term health risks.
The study also found disparities across socioeconomic and racial groups, suggesting that some children face significantly higher exposure levels than others.
Emergency Department Visits: 67,000 Injuries in 2023
The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) recorded 67,000 emergency department visits for chemical poisoning among children under five in 2023. This followed 68,600 in 2022 and 62,600 in 2021.
Where These Incidents Occurred
• 72 percent happened at home • 26 percent occurred at unknown locations • 2 percent occurred in public places like streets, daycares, and parks
Most children were treated and released, but 13 percent required hospital admission or transfer.
Ages of Children Treated in 2023
• Under 1 year: 6 percent • Age 1: 36 percent • Age 2: 29 percent • Age 3: 18 percent • Age 4: 11 percent
Boys accounted for 54 percent of cases.
Top Products Involved in Pediatric Poisonings (2023)
The study identifies the ten products most frequently involved in chemical poisoning cases treated in emergency departments.
Top 10 Products
• Blood pressure medications: 5,800 cases • Dietary supplements: 5,200 cases • Acetaminophen: 4,900 cases • Bleach: 3,600 cases • Antidepressants: 2,800 cases • Ibuprofen: 2,400 cases • Laundry packets: data not available • Illegal drugs: 1,900 cases • ADD medications: 1,800 cases • Unknown substances: 2,400 cases
These numbers reflect a mix of household medications, cleaning products, and illicit substances.
Illicit Fentanyl Exposure Has Exploded
One of the most alarming trends is the rise in fentanyl exposure among young children.
Fentanyl Exposure in Children Under 6
• 2016: 10 cases • 2020: 120 cases • 2023: 539 cases
This represents a 349 percent increase in three years and a 5,290 percent increase since 2016. More than 80 percent of these exposures occurred in the child’s home.
Which States Have the Most Pediatric Poisoning Calls?
Between 2020 and 2025, children aged 0 to 5 were involved in 436,444 poison control cases nationwide.
States With the Most Calls
• Texas: 39,442 • California: 34,037 • Florida: 18,897 • Ohio: 18,466 • Pennsylvania: 17,576 • New York: 16,830 • North Carolina: 15,316 • Illinois: 14,592 • Michigan: 14,419 • Georgia: 13,884
States With the Fewest Calls
• District of Columbia: 697 • Vermont: 977 • Rhode Island: 1,098 • Delaware: 1,370 • Alaska: 1,538 • Wyoming: 1,539 • North Dakota: 1,595 • South Dakota: 1,602 • Hawaii: 1,672 • Montana: 2,040
How Children Are Being Exposed
The study identifies the most common routes of exposure for children aged 0 to 5.
Top Exposure Pathways (2020 to 2025)
• Mouth: 3,485 incidents • Mouth and skin: 138 • Eye: 122 • Mouth, eye, and skin: 49 • Inhalation: 17 • Mouth, eye, skin, inhalation: 16 • Mouth and eye: 14 • Mouth and inhalation: 11 • Injection: 9 • Skin only: 8
The dominance of oral exposure reflects how quickly toddlers can access and ingest hazardous substances.
A National Problem Hidden in Plain Sight
The data compiled by Anidjar & Levine shows a clear pattern. Children in the United States are surrounded by chemicals in their homes, schools, and communities. Many of these exposures are preventable, yet the numbers continue to rise.
The study also highlights how the COVID‑19 pandemic intensified the issue. During the first three months of 2020, Poison Control Centers recorded 45,550 cleaner and disinfectant exposure calls, a 20 percent increase from the previous year.
With nearly 100 child deaths per year and tens of thousands of emergency department visits, the findings underscore the need for stronger safety practices, better product labeling, and increased public awareness.