ICYMI – A startling report from the Cincinnati Drug and Poison Information Center revealed that some at-home rapid COVID-19 tests may contain a toxic chemical that can be harmful to both children and adults. Authorities noted a significant uptick in accidental exposures to a potentially toxic substance known as sodium azide which is used in at-home COVID-19 testing kits. The National Poison Control Center issued a warning about this chemical already as reports flood in of people being poisoned by the test kits being sent to millions of Americans.
“It is important to know that the extraction vial in many rapid antigen kits includes the chemical sodium azide as a preservative agent,” the center said. “The BinaxNow, BD Veritor, Flowflex, and Celltrion DiaTrust COVID-19 rapid antigen kits all contain this chemical.”
The Epoch Times reported that “Sodium azide is a colorless, odorless powder that testers dip cotton swabs into. The chemical is found in herbicides, pest control agents, and airbags for cars.”
“We started getting our first exposures to these test kits around early November,” said Sheila Goertemoeller, pharmacist and clinical toxicologist for the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. “It was, really, all ages.”
“Mostly, I’ve been very worried about our young children.”
Poisoned By COVID Paranoia, Constant Testing
Accidental exposures were reported impacting both adults and children with people mistaking them for eye drops or dropping the vials onto their skin. Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, with the National Capital Poison Center told WNEP ,
“People might mistake them for eye drops. Children might drop it onto their skin. Adults will sometimes mistakenly put them into their eyes,” she said.
“You don’t want to leave it on the skin because it could potentially cause an allergic reaction or a skin rash.
“If someone drinks the solution, it’s really important to contact poison control right away. The solutions have different ingredients. Some have non-toxic ingredients and others have more dangerous ingredients.”
The Cincinnati Children’s Hospital recommended that in order to prevent accidental poisonings from COVID test kits:
- Store the kit “up and away,” out of the sight and reach of children and pets.
- Leave the kit sealed until needed and throw it away immediately after use.
- Make sure to read and follow the instructions on the package before using.
