Reed diffusers can poison kids

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-06-26 00:01

New Zealand

Photo by GALINA BOGDANOVA on Unsplash Copy

An NZ researcher is calling attention to reed diffusers, which contain essential oil mixtures that can poison children at doses as low as 20mL. In 2019, there were 94 calls to the NZ National Poisons Centre about reed diffuser oils, most of them involving children under 2 years old. A further 600 calls to the National Poisons Centre were reported during 2019–2024, suggesting that this issue persists. A previous British study found that most children who swallowed diffuser fluid didn't have severe symptoms, and only 20% of the 2019 NZ cases were told to seek medical attention. However, the researcher says that more caution is needed as many diffusers are sold with little-to-no warning labels or information on what's in the diffuser fluid.

News release

From: New Zealand Medical Journal (NZMJ)

There are a wide range of consumer products in the household environment that can result in poisoning of young children through exploratory behaviour. Reed diffusers contain liquid ingredients (solvents, essential oils) that can have adverse effects on the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. For some essential oils adverse effects have been reported from ingestion of small quantities (<10mL), which could be achieved from the ingestion of reed diffuser fluid. Controlling risks associated with the ingestion of reed diffuser fluid is complicated by the fact than many of the products are used as an open container and often sit within easy reach of young children.

Journal/
conference: NZMJ

Organisation/s: PHF Science

Funder: N/A

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