Girl, 3, dies after drinking caustic soda she thought was fruit juice
A three-year-old girl has died after she mistook caustic soda for fruit juice and drank it.
Elisa da Silva Marques is thought to have been staying at her cousin’s house in São Manuel, a city in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, when the incident happened.
She became ill immediately after drinking the drain cleaner on March 16 and was rushed to Hospital das Clínicas in the nearby city of Botucatu.
The child was treated there for 10 days before she died on March 26.
São Manuel Civil Police have now opened an investigation into Elisa’s death.
Caustic soda is the more common name for the alkali sodium hydroxide, a highly corrosive substance.
Also known as lye, it is a vital component in the paper and soap industries, and is also commonly found in homes to help with cleaning drains.
However, it is extremely dangerous when ingested or brought into contact with skin or eyes, as it causes severe chemical burns.
In December, London nightclub Tiger Tiger was fined £120,000 after customers were accidentally served caustic soda instead of salt with their tequila shots.
According to Westminster City Council, the bartender made the horrifying mix-up in an unlit storage room when he went to gather more salt after running out.
His customers complained of a burning sensation in their mouths and quickly became very ill, vomiting profusely.
The council’s deputy leader Aicha Less said: ‘The shocking details of this case show a lack of attention and proper process for handling toxic cleaning chemicals.
‘This incident shows that overlooking basic safety measures can have the most serious consequences.’
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