At least 19 children have died in India after consuming cough syrup containing diethylene glycol, a deadly industrial solvent.

The contaminated syrup was manufactured and sold in India under the name Coldrif.

As Coldrif was pulled from the shelves, authorities arrested the owner of its manufacturer and shut down a facility in Chennai.

Gujarat State later recalled two other cough syrups, Respifresh TR and Relife, that had also tested positive for diethylene glycol.

Commonly used in anti-freeze and brake fluid, even tiny amounts of the chemical can cause renal failure and brain damage.

A spokesperson from the World Health Organisation told the ABC it "has not received any official information as to the source of the diethylene glycol contamination or if contaminated pharmaceutical mater

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