Tidy Cats Scoop Multiple Cats, Case Study Example

Tidy Cats Scoop for Multiple Cats is cat litter that is utilized in homes in which there is one more cat. This formula is unique in that it has a greater degree of absorbency compared to other cat litters, allowing it be to utilized for many cats at once. The population that it at highest risk for suffering the potential hazards of this product are small children. Since the cat litter clumps when exposed to liquids, if a small child eats the product, it will clump in their gastrointestinal system, causing a blockage. A second population that is at high risk for suffering these potential hazards are cat owners, who may be sensitive to the litter, and suffer irritation through the eyes, skin, and nasal passages.

The chemicals in this product include bentonite, calcium carbonate, montmorillonite, silicic acid, kaolin clay, silica, mica, gypsum, quartz, and kieselguhr (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001). While significant hazards are not associated with the product for adults, who are likely to suffer minor irritations, this product is hazardous to young children. Although scientific studies have not been conducted to determine what symptoms will occur with the product is ingested, the cat litter contains many minerals that can potentially scratch and damage the throat of the child. Furthermore, a chemical reaction in which the kaolin clay acts is responsible for the clumping occurs in cat litter to hold in odors. If a child ingests the kaolin clay, it will react with the water contained within the child’s body, and will clump, resulting in physical stress or death.

Although it is difficult to misuse this particular product in a manner that results in risk, it would be beneficial to avoid using the cat litter for other animals. For example, individuals may believe that cat litter could be a potentially effective method for absorbing the litter of crated dogs or of caged small animals, such as rabbits. Instinctively, cats know not to eat their litter, which protects them from the negative impacts that can result from the clumping. However, other animals tend to eat a majority of what they encounter, and could become sick or die as a consequence of eating the litter. Therefore, it is essential that Tidy Cats Scoop Multiple Cats be used only for cats and in a manner that will allow it to be minimally accessible by children.

To manage the risks associated with the product, it is essential to provide the cat litter with a warning label that it may be hazardous to small children and to animals. It is also important to consider that a small percentage of cats may potentially ingest the litter, so it is imperative to warn owners against what could occur as a consequence of this possibility. Furthermore, the product should contain a phone number that could be consulted if the product is accidentally or intentionally ingested. It is also important to warn them that a trip to the emergency room will likely be necessary if this occurs. This warning should act both as a deterrent to the misuse of this product in addition to providing consumers with important information they could use should an accident occur.

Irish Spring Deodorant Bath Bar with Aloe

This product is used to cleanse hands or the full body during bathing. Children or mentally disabled adults are at risk to the hazards of the product, as they are exposed to it frequently and it is dangerous to ingest. These two populations are not always able to understand that soap is not edible and when they are not adequately supervised, this product is unlikely to be used properly. There is a long list of chemicals in this product, including, fragrance(s)/perfume(s), glycerin, pentasodium pentetate, sodium chloride, water, petrolatum, sodium tallowate, chromium (III) oxide, titanium dioxide, polyquaternium-6, coconut fatty acids, hydrogenated tallow glyceride, sodium cocoate, sodium palm kernelate, and aloe barbadensis/vera extract/gel (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2007).

The hazards for this product include eye irritation, skin irritation, and gastrointestinal problems. However, the product can be inhaled safely. It is plausible that the skin irritation caused by this product would be minor and result from an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients in the product. Most frequently, these allergies would be related to the fragrance/scent that the soap is given in addition to coconut fatty acids that it contains. Allergies to both flowers from which these scents are typically derived and nuts are common. Eye irritation is due to a variety of chemicals, including even those as basic as sodium chloride, as the primary function of the soap is to remove dirt and bacteria from the skin. Therefore, the chemicals must powerful enough to have this function, and it is important to make sure that individuals that get them in their eye should rinse their eyes thoroughly.

Significant hazards would be associated with the ingestion of the product, although the degree to which the hazards exist will be dependent upon the amount of soap that is ingested. While it is essential for those who accidentally ingest the soap to drink several glasses of water, it may be necessary to contact poison control. Induced vomiting may be a reasonable solution to a potential overdose of any of the soap’s ingredients. It is possible that alterations in the product can occur additional hazards. For example, this soap product would typically be present in a bathroom or kitchen, where many other chemicals are present. If cleaning chemicals are spilled on the soap, it can potentially cause a hazardous chemical reaction. In the worst case, it may form acid or another product that is dangerous to touch.

To manage the risks associated with this product, it is essential to remind customers that children and adults with mental reduced capabilities should be supervised during its use. Furthermore, it is important to remind them that the product should be stored separately from cleaning chemicals and others items that could cause a dangerous chemical reaction. To ensure these chemical reactions do not occur at a rapid pace if storage of these items must occur in the same area, it is important to keep them at a cool temperature. Cooler temperatures will reduce the speed of the reaction and there will be more time to determine the appropriate actions that should be taken to ensure that the reaction isn’t toxic.

References

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2001). Tidy Cats Scoop Multiple Cats. Retrieved from http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=brands&id=18017002

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2007). Irish Spring Deodorant Bath Bar with Aloe. Retrieved from http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/brands?tbl=brands&id=3008095