Coronavirus concerns linked to increase in household cleaner poison exposures

Concerns and preventive measures towards the coronavirus may be linked to an increase of poison exposures to household cleaners, according to the Washington Poison Center.

Poison episodes have increased by 23% compared to this time last year, according to a news release. Many examples of exposure have come from mixing chemicals together and making toxic gas, using bleach or hydrogen peroxide to wash hands or skin leading to rashes and using cleaners to disinfect fresh produce and other groceries.

Cases have also been caused by using cleaners on face masks and inhaling the toxic fumes, and children getting into unattended supplies. Medical Director Dr. Erica Liebelt said that caution should be used while taking these kinds of cleaners.

“It is important that people follow good hand hygiene and disinfecting practices in households and businesses. However, it is also important to read labels carefully, follow instructions, and only use substances for their intended use,” Liebelt said in the release.

The trend in Washington mirrors the trend across the nation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting 45,550 cases of household cleaner exposures from January through March, an increase of 20% from the same period in 2019.

This story was originally published April 23, 2020 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Coronavirus concerns linked to increase in household cleaner poison exposures."