As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the U.S. authorities expanded efforts to extend at-home COVID testing. In January 2022 it was introduced that each house is eligible to order free at-home COVID-19 check kits.
At the Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center, we’ve seen an uptick in unintended exposures to a substance in these check kits. Poison management facilities nationwide have been reporting the identical discovering. The substance that could be a concern is named the reagent liquid. It is used to set off the chemical response that detects the presence of coronavirus. The ingredient of fear on this liquid is a chemical known as sodium azide, which is used as a preservative in these kits.
How Accidental Exposures Are Happening
The most typical calls to poison facilities have been about youngsters exploring their atmosphere and discovering the small bottle containing reagent liquid and placing it of their mouth or spilling it on themselves. In adults there have been circumstances of “container confusion,” with the bottle being mistaken for eye drops.
What Part of the Kit Is a Concern?
The sorts of check kits fluctuate, however they often include a swab, testing card and an extraction vial containing the reagent liquid. When the liquid is swallowed, the sodium azide in it may well trigger a headache and decrease the blood strain. In massive quantities it may well trigger seizures.
The excellent news is that the quantity of the sodium azide in these merchandise is small. These merchandise are an ideal instance of “the dose makes the poison.” In most circumstances to date, youngsters have simply had a style of the liquid and so they have carried out OK. But the burden of the particular person and the quantity of liquid ingested make a distinction in how extreme a response they could expertise.
How to Prevent Accidental Exposures
To stop unintended poisonings from the COVID-19 house check kits, poison management facilities advocate the next ideas:
- Store the package “up and away,” out of the sight and attain of kids and pets.
- Leave the package sealed till wanted and throw it away instantly after use.
- Make certain to learn and observe the directions on the bundle earlier than utilizing.
At our Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center we’re at all times right here to reply any questions you’ve got if somebody turns into uncovered to the check package liquid. Call us 24/7 at 1-800-222-1222 and we might help.