Metal Polishes, Tarnish Removers Or Preventatives
Twenty years of CPSC NEISS emergency-room records for this consumer product category, combined with demographic breakdowns, multi-year injury trends, and matching recall notices.
Home Workshop Tools & Equipment · CPSC Code 931
Down 28% over 5 years
The verdict
Metal Polishes, Tarnish Removers Or Preventatives carry a danger score of 26/100 (low risk), driven by roughly 105 ER-treated injuries a year that are declining by about 28% over the last five years.
- 26/100
- danger score (low risk)
- 105
- ER visits per year (avg)
- 5.1%
- end in hospital admission
- 0-4
- most-injured age group
Every figure is rendered from the CPSC NEISS record for product code 931 - last data year 2024.
PlainSafety danger score
How this 26/100 score is built
The score is computed from four CPSC-derived factors for metal polishes, tarnish removers or preventatives - no opinion, no editorializing:
- Injury volume105 ER visits/yr
- Severity (hospitalization rate)5.1%
- Fatality rate0.00%
- 5-year trend-28%
See the full methodology for the exact weighting of each factor.
What the CPSC Data Shows
Metal Polishes, Tarnish Removers Or Preventatives (CPSC product code 931, in the Home Workshop Tools & Equipment category) generate an estimated 105 emergency-room visits every year in the United States, adding up to roughly 2,001 ER-treated injuries across the 20-year span from 2005 to 2024. PlainSafety derives a danger score of 26/100 for this category (low risk), combining raw injury volume, demographic reach, severity of outcome, and multi-year trend. The five-year trajectory shows that injury counts are declining by about 28% over the last five years, with the busiest year on record being 2015 (232 estimated ER visits) and the quietest 2020 (5 estimated visits).
The single most common ER diagnosis for metal polishes, tarnish removers or preventatives is poisoning to the all parts body, accounting for approximately 734 visits across the 20-year NEISS window, followed by foreign body to the eyeball (308 cases). The 0-4 age group absorbs the largest share of injuries, about 503 cases over the NEISS window, and males appear slightly more often than the opposite sex in that cohort. Severity outcomes from the NEISS disposition field show that 5.1% of ER visits involving this product end in hospital admission or transfer.
Beyond the hospital-sampled NEISS projections, this page also aggregates 5 consumer incident reports filed directly on SaferProducts.gov, plus 20 anonymized ER narratives - together forming a layered picture of how metal polishes, tarnish removers or preventatives fail in real households. Every figure on this page comes from CPSC-published data: NEISS projects national estimates from a probability sample of about 100 U.S. hospital emergency departments, while SaferProducts.gov collects voluntary reports from consumers, manufacturers, and clinicians. The danger score, trend indicators, and demographic breakdowns update automatically when CPSC releases a new yearly NEISS file, which is why this page is dated 2024-12-31. For regulatory context, consult CPSC recall notices and the SaferProducts.gov public database linked below.
Annual Injury Estimates (2005–2024)
Source: CPSC NEISS national estimates CPSC NEISS national estimates Injuries represent ER-treated cases only
Who Gets Injured?
| Age Group | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 282 | 221 | |
| 5-14 | 61 | 6 | |
| 15-24 | 98 | 6 | |
| 25-34 | 222 | 31 | |
| 35-44 | 16 | 46 | |
| 45-54 | 310 | 87 | |
| 55-64 | 165 | 66 | |
| 65-74 | 93 | 95 | |
| 75+ | 69 | 127 |
Most Common Injuries
| Body Part | Diagnosis | Est. Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| All Parts Body | Poisoning | |
| Eyeball | Foreign Body | |
| Eyeball | Derma/conjunct | |
| Eyeball | Burn, Chemical | |
| Shoulder | Other | |
| Eyeball | Contusions, Abr. | |
| Head | Internal Injury | |
| Lower Arm | Derma/conjunct | |
| Foot | Burn, Chemical | |
| Eyeball | Other | |
| Hand | Burn, Scald | |
| Hand | Derma/conjunct | |
| All Parts Body | Other | |
| Lower Leg | Burn, Chemical | |
| Hand | Burn, Chemical |
Severity Breakdown
ER Visit Narratives
Real anonymized emergency room reports from the CPSC NEISS database.
59YOM PRESENTS WITH HYPERTENSION WITH FACIAL TINGLING AND LEFT HAND TINGLING. PATIENT REPORTS THAT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON HE WAS SPRAYING CAMPHOR IN AN ENCLOSED SPACE WHICH GAVE HIM A LITTLE TROUBLE BREATHING. HE WOKE TODAY WITH THE NEW SYMPTOMS. DX: ELEVATED BLOOD PRESSURE, PARESTHESIA, EXPOSURE CHEMICAL INHALED, HYPONATREMIA.
49YOM WAS POLISHING AN IRON WHILE WEARING SAFETY GOGGLES AND SOMETHING GOT IN HIS LEFT EYE DX: FOREIGN BODY EYE
60YOF BIBEMS FOR CHEMICAL SPLASH INJURY TO THE EYES. PT STATES SHE WAS CLEANING WITH NOXON METAL CLEANER WHEN IT SPLASHED GETTING ON HER EYES AND PERIORBITAL REGION. PT HAS CONJUNCTIVAL INJECTION IN EYES DX: CHEMICAL EXPOSURE OF EYE
12MOM PRESENTS AFTER HE WAS FOUND PLAYING WITH SILVER CLEANER, ALL OVER BODY, UNKNOWN INGESTION. DX: ACCIDENTAL INGESTION OF TOXIC SUBSTANCE
18MOM APPROX 30 MINS AGO, PT WAS HOLDING BOTTLE OF GUN BORE CLEANER. MOM STATES BOTTLE WAS CLOSED, HOWEVER, MOM COULD SMELL THE CLEANER ON PT'S MOUTH AND PT'S HANDS. DX: HYDROCARBON INGESTION
54YOF PRESENTS WITH CONCERNS OF MORE CONFUSION WITH BRIEF EPISODES OF INABILITY TO NAME THE DATE OR WHERE SHE IS, PROVIDER BELIEVES THAT HER ANTIPSYCHOTICS (*** INJECTIONS AND *** AND *** TABLETS) ARE CONTRIBUTING TO HER MORE LETHARGIC STATE WHICH HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR A WHILE DX: DROOLING-MEDICATION INDUCED
27YOF ACCIDENTALLY SPRAYED HER EYES WITH STAINLESS STEEL CLEANER 2 DAYS AGO. DX: CORNEAL ABRASION,BILATERAL
23mof rubbbed *** *** *** on legs and abdomen. DX: chemical exposure of skin.
30YOM PT POLISHING METAL & SPLINTER GOT INTO LT EYE NO DX #
75YOM C/O FALL, -LOC. PT FOUND TO HAVE CONTUSION & CHRONIC SAH. PT IS CURRENTLY ON ***. DX: FALL, FEVER, SDH
11MOF PRESENTS WITH CAMPHOR EXPOSURE. MOTHER WAS USING AS INSECT/RODENT PREVENTION WHEN PT SCOOPED ITEM OFF GROUND AND PUT IT IN HER MOUTH. DX: CHLORINATED CAMPHENE, TOXICITY, ACCIDENTAL OR UNINTENTIONAL. %
4YOF presents with accidental substance ingestion; patient was with grandmother who just moved into new home; grandmother reports having a small amount of metal polish (***) in an unlabeled water bottle--patient grabbed bottle and tried to drink it, but spit out most of the content; initially complained of abdominal pain DX: Ingestion of Toxin, Accidental or Unintentional *
Consumer Incident Reports
Reports filed by consumers on SaferProducts.gov.
Hi. I purchased some Twinkle Copper cleaner from Amazon and the product was done sort of Acid that turned my copper pots and pans black. When I called amazon to report it they gave me a fake reference number which is how many of these on line companies operate to rid themselves of complaints. And the theres no record of anything. Amazon brought down small businesses throughout the Usa and should be antitrusted while that billionaire [REDACTED] photographs his penis to disseminate on line deviant exploiter. Update: This product Twinkle Copper Cleaner from Amazon is counterfeit and tampered with. It caused me a rash on my hands which spread to my arm. It turned my copper pots BLACK and ruined them. I tried to report it to amazon but they were not interested and gave me a fake case number. I wish to file a claim for the damage. Im taking a cortisone series for the allergic reaction. And I want my copper pots and pans restored. Here are photos of the product and the product reaction on my armI has sent photos earlier of my damaged kitchen copper pots and pans in question. Im keeping the product for your examination but I cannot touch it because it causes me to break out as in photo below. I need the number for Amazons lawyer and liability insurance. What I said about [REDACTED] may not be agreeable for the politically correct but it is true. Hes an exhibitionist who exploits his workers to get rich and who Gad destroyed small businesses in out country by controlling the market as a monopoly. He needs to be antitrusted. Please change my report accordingly, confirm receipt and please advice. Thank you so much. [REDACTED]
A 3-year-old boy died shortly after ingesting a poisonous substance, specifically Pro Par Brightener, a compound containing sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid and ethanol, that is used as an industrial aluminum and metal cleaner. The child gained access to the substance while the family vehicle was stopped at a car wash. He and his 5-year-old brother were in their car seats in the back of the vehicle, while his parents were in the front. He worked his way out of his car seat and grabbed a 12 oz. plastic water bottle that was on the floor and where his father had stored the chemical substance. He drank approximately one third of its content and began to feel sick. When his parents realized what he had done they made the child drink water and called EMS for help. He was rushed to a hospital emergency room where he was treated but he was already unresponsive.
The consumer stated that when she opened up the container, a small amount of the product flew into the air. The consumer stated that the powder got into her nose, throat and mouth. The consumer stated that the powder is very fine. The consumer stated that she has been having difficulty breathing since then. The consumer has to take extra breathing medications. The consumer also feels burning/stinging down into her lungs and chest. The consumer stated that she contacted the manf. The consumer inquired about the return policy. They informed her that they can provide her a rebate of $5 or she can receive a refund of the product cost ($10) if she pays to ship the product back to them. The consumer will take a rebate of $5.
I purchased a dangerous product for cleaning that is extremely flammable and I believe poisonous but no marking but a small area that says flammable but does not state poisonous. The liquid went on fire extremely quickly. If denatured alcohol or isopropyl it is poisonous. It also states
1. The time of product use was probably more in-line with 15 minutes, not 5. 2. In addition to the injuries contained in the report, areas also affected include: *shins & calves of both legs *both forearms *right wrist *inside of right ring finger, which occurred while simply inspecting the bottle label 3. The pH test strips used were a product of MedLab www.medlabdiagnostics.org . The strips, when immersed in the WJ Haggerty & Sons cleaning solution instantaneously indicated the maximum pH reading of 9.0, although that products instructions specify that it is intended only for urine and saliva. 4. The referenced cream actually used [REDACTED], not [REDACTED]. 5. No immediate medical attention or first aid was received, other than thoroughly washing the areas that I believed had been exposed. While the [REDACTED] had some positive affect on the chemical burns, I already had an annual visit scheduled with my dermatologist for October 24th ([REDACTED]). [REDACTED] also concurred that it appeared the injuries were wide-spread probably caused by a reaction to the cleaning fluid, and would best be treated internally, rather than using an external cream or lotion. He then prescribed a treatment using [REDACTED] tablets, ending on Nov.6, 2019. To date, this has somewhat mitigated, but not eliminatedthe appearance of the burns. 6. I have attached a photograph of the bottle label, and will be contacting the manufacturer next week. The distributor, Amazon, declined to accept the bottle for return to the manufacturer. It is my understanding that their refusal was due to safey concerns, but they did refund the purchase price. I will retain the bottle and fluid, until this matter is resolved. However, I am very cautious when handling that bottle, as liquid seems to drip, unexpectedly causing additional burns. Regarding my previous report, I have the following new information to amend my report: · I had 4 ounces of this cleaning solution tested by an independent
Product Recalls
Search for active and past recalls related to metal polishes, tarnish removers or preventatives on the CPSC website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How dangerous are metal polishes, tarnish removers or preventatives?
Based on 20 years of CPSC data, metal polishes, tarnish removers or preventatives have a danger score of 26/100 (low risk). An estimated 105 ER-treated injuries occur annually in the U.S. related to this product category.
What are the most common injuries from metal polishes, tarnish removers or preventatives?
The most common injury is poisoning to the all parts body, accounting for approximately 734 injuries over 20 years.
Are injuries from metal polishes, tarnish removers or preventatives increasing or decreasing?
Down 28% over 5 years.
Who is most at risk for metal polishes, tarnish removers or preventatives injuries?
The 0-4 age group accounts for the most injuries, with approximately 503 cases recorded over 20 years. Males are more frequently injured in this age group.
What happens when someone is injured by metal polishes, tarnish removers or preventatives?
Of all ER visits involving metal polishes, tarnish removers or preventatives, approximately 5.1% result in hospital admission. The majority of patients (94.9%) are treated and released from the emergency department.
How can I report a safety problem with metal polishes, tarnish removers or preventatives?
You can file a consumer incident report at SaferProducts.gov, the official CPSC reporting portal. Reports help the CPSC identify emerging hazards and trigger investigations or recalls. You can also call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772.
Related Products in Home Workshop Tools & Equipment
Safety Guides
What this means for you
Treat the 26/100 score as relative risk between products, not your personal odds of injury.
- See where this category ranks against every other tracked product. Full rankings
- Injuries cluster in the 0-4 age group, take extra care if that describes your household.
- Check for active recalls on this product before you assume it is safe. CPSC recalls
NEISS estimates ER-treated injuries from a national probability sample of hospitals; they do not capture injuries treated elsewhere or not treated at all.
Data: CPSC National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) 2005–2024 and SaferProducts.gov consumer incident reports. Injury estimates are based on a nationally representative probability sample of U.S. hospital emergency departments. This page is for informational purposes only and is not affiliated with the CPSC.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, scored, and verified.