PRINTER'S NO. 725
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
112
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY RAVENSTAHL, CALTAGIRONE, READSHAW, MURT, KINSEY,
FREEMAN, BIZZARRO, LONGIETTI, J. HARRIS, BOBACK, O'BRIEN,
MACKENZIE, MATZIE, DRISCOLL, KULIK, TOOHIL, WATSON, DUSH,
SONNEY, MILLARD, DiGIROLAMO, MARSHALL, V. BROWN, WARREN,
WARD, NEILSON, SCHLEGEL CULVER, DEASY, GOODMAN, SCHWEYER AND
D. COSTA, MARCH 3, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 3, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of March 19 through 25, 2017, as "Poison
Prevention Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Each year, more than 2 million poisonings are
reported to poison centers across the United States; and
WHEREAS, Approximately half of all poison exposure cases
involve children under six years of age; and
WHEREAS, A majority of poisonings occur in the home where
analgesics, cosmetics or other personal care products, household
cleaning products and prescription drugs are subject to exposure
or improper use; and
WHEREAS, On September 16, 1961, Congress established
"National Poison Prevention Week," and shortly thereafter the
Poison Prevention Week Council was organized to coordinate this
annual event and promote poison prevention; and
WHEREAS, "National Poison Prevention Week" is observed
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annually during the third week in March to promote public
education on ways to prevent poisonings; and
WHEREAS, Though most consumer products pose no hazard to
human health if used properly, many common household products,
including opioid medications and cleaning products, can become
poisonous; and
WHEREAS, Across the United States, 55 poison control centers
operate to assist the public with poison emergencies and to
respond to questions about poison prevention and exposure to
poisons; and
WHEREAS, Two poison control centers, the Pittsburgh Poison
Center of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and the
Poison Control Center at the Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia, operate in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the Pittsburgh Poison Center responds to
more than 150,000 requests for poison information from the
general public and medical professionals and regularly conducts
community education and outreach programs in western
Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, The Pittsburgh Poison Center is a nationally
recognized poison information control center and has developed a
regional network of hospital treatment centers throughout this
Commonwealth to ensure the utmost care in all referred cases of
poison exposure; and
WHEREAS, Due to escalating health care costs, investment in
poison control centers is of vital importance to reduce
emergency room visits and the length of hospital stays, avoid
unnecessary hospital admissions and limit the use of expensive
therapies and extraneous laboratory testing; and
WHEREAS, For every $1 invested in poison control centers, an
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estimated $13 is saved in health care expenditures; therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
week of March 19 through 25, 2017, as "Poison Prevention Week"
in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge all
residents to become aware of common sense tips to prevent
poisonings, such as safely storing poisonous substances, using
poisonous substances as directed, ensuring that children are
taught to ask before using a poisonous substance and keeping the
poison control center toll-free telephone number of 1-800-222-
1222 in an easily accessible location; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
outstanding work done by the employees and volunteers at the
poison control centers in this Commonwealth who assist in saving
lives by responding to emergencies and teaching the public how
to prevent poisonings.
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