Poison control centers across the U.S. reported a 253 percent increase in self-poisoning with nitrites and nitrates and a 166 percent increase in fatalities in 2021 in comparison to 2018. This is at the same time there is increased accessibility of sodium nitrite through online vendors and recommendations frequently shared in online communities that it can be used as an effective method of suicide.

Sodium nitrite is a form of salt and commonly used as a food preservative. Consuming large quantities of sodium nitrite can cause methemoglobinemia, which is a dangerous and potentially fatal condition where the amount of oxygen carried by the blood is greatly reduced. The high mortality rate and toxicity of sodium nitrite is also of significant concern. Since 2018, nearly 15 percent of nitrites and nitrates self-poisoning cases have resulted in death, with 88 percent of individuals requiring management in a health-care facility.

Poison centers offer the following precautions to prevent sodium nitrite poisoning and advice on what to do in the event of an exposure:

1.       Call 911 immediately if an individual is unconscious, unable to breathe or seizing.
2.       Call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) or visit PoisonHelp.org if you suspect someone has been exposed to sodium nitrite or for more information about poisoning prevention.
3.       If you or a loved one are in emotional distress or crisis, call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
4.       Avoid keeping large quantities of sodium nitrite containing products in the home.
5.       Store sodium nitrite containing products in a locked cabinet or up and out of reach of children.

Four ways to prepare, prevent, and protect against poisoning:

1.  Text POISON to 797979 to save the Poison Help Hotline as a contact in your mobile phone.

2. Save the Poison Help Hotline number, 1-800-222-1222, into your mobile phone.

3. Display the Poison Help Hotline contact number throughout your home.

4. Get Info:

·         Web: www.aapcc.org

·         Twitter: https://twitter.com/AAPCC

·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aapcc

For National Poison Data or Information, Contact:

Maggie Maloney
Director, Public Education & Communications
maloney@aapcc.org

 

More than sixty years have passed since Congress and President Kennedy first authorized the designation of National Poison Prevention Week (NPPW), proving that poison centers are here for the ages. There are currently 55 poison centers throughout the U.S. that provide 24/7/365 fast, free, confidential treatment advice. Each year, the specially trained pharmacists, nurses, and physicians manage more than 2 million poisoning cases. These medical experts save lives by providing essential public health information to people of all ages.

 

Poison centers, government agencies, the executive and legislative branches, and other organizations use NPPW to raise awareness about the usefulness of poison centers and the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222). In fact, a White House proclamation for NPPW is released annually. This year’s full proclamation is available for view here. In addition, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) sponsored a resolution in order to recognize the week of March 20 through March 26, 2022, as National Poison Prevention Week. “Ohio is the proud home to two Poison Control Centers and I’m grateful for the lifesaving work the workers there do to keep our communities safe. As we recognize National Poison Prevention Week, we must continue to support the work of the CDC and ensure staff, faculty, and other experts at our Poison Control Centers have the resources they need,” said Senator Brown.

 

About 90%  of poisonings happen at home. “Parents and caregivers juggle many responsibilities at home and often children have access to products that may cause a poisoning,” said Julie Weber, President of the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC). Poison Prevention Week is a great opportunity to learn about resources and establish home safety practices. A call to our medical experts will ensure that we keep families safe and prevent unintentional poison exposures. Approximately 70 % of cases managed by people who call the Poison Help line get the help they need right where they are — saving the cost of an unnecessary trip to a doctor or hospital. If you have questions or suspect you may have been exposed to a poison, a call to the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 is best or use our online tool at www.PoisonHelp.org. All NPPW 2022 resources and activities are available on the AAPCC website at www.aapcc.org/nppw-2022/.

Four ways to prepare, prevent, and protect against poisoning:

1. Save the Poison Help Hotline number, 1-800-222-1222, into your mobile phone.

2. Display the Poison Help Hotline contact number throughout your home.

3. Online Poison Help: log on to www.PoisonHelp.org, the official site of the AAPCC.

4. Follow AAPCC on social:

Web: www.aapcc.org

Twitter: www.twitter.com/AAPCC

Facebook: www.facebook.com/aapcc/

 

For Media Requests, Contact: media@aapcc.org

 

 

After recent scares of limited gasoline, some states on the nation’s East Coast have experienced severe gasoline hoarding and siphoning. The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) joins the Blue Ridge Poison Center in warning against siphoning gasoline after receiving a notable spike in gasoline-related calls. According to the National Poison Data System (NDPS), there has been a 45% increase in gasoline ingestions between May 10-May 12, 2021. Most exposures occurred between the ages of 13-59. The majority of exposures (78%) were managed out of the hospital.

Additionally, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned against filling plastic bags with gasoline. When gasoline is not stored in the proper fuel approved containers, it can be hazardous if inhaled. According to NPDS, inhalation resulted in 25% of gasoline exposures in May 2021.

Although most gasoline exposure calls to poison centers resulted in minimal to no symptoms, injuries can still occur by any route. Injuries may include but are not limited to the following: coughing, shortness of breath, chemical pneumonia, chemical burns, and unconsciousness.

If you have questions or suspect you have been poisoned by gasoline, contact your local poison center at 1(800)222-1222. Poison experts (nurses, doctors, and pharmacists) are available to answer your call 24/7/365.

Four ways to prepare, prevent, and protect against poisoning:

1. Text POISON to 797979 to save the Poison Help Hotline as a contact in your mobile phone.

2. Save the Poison Help Hotline number, 1-800-222-1222, into your mobile phone.

3. Display the Poison Help Hotline contact number throughout your home.

4. Get Info:

Web: www.aapcc.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AAPCC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aapcc/

For National Poison Data or Information, Contact:

Yasmine Harding, MS, CHES®

Director, Public Education & Communications

harding@aapcc.org

News

U.S. poison control centers have reached an astonishing milestone: 1 million COVID-19 cases. The free services offered through the Poison Help Hotline (1-800-222-1222) remain vital in public health efforts to respond and answer questions related to information, preventative measures, and vaccines for COVID-19 cases. When medically appropriate, the treatment advice provided by specially trained professionals keeps patients at home, saving millions in medical expenses.

Poison center specialists have increasingly responded to information and chemical exposure cases related to cleaning and disinfecting products, including hand sanitizer. Centers have also assisted local health agencies by providing triage services through local COVID-19 Hotlines.

New Jersey was one of the first states impacted by the devastating effects of the Coronavirus. “Although we’ve operated many emergent health hotlines in the past, none would compare to the challenges that lay ahead. Calls to the hotline exceeded initial expectations. Volume quickly soared and remained at unprecedented levels for months on end”, said Dr. Diane Calello, Executive and Medical Director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. “We were receiving around 1,000 COVID calls a day up until the beginning of summer. Throughout the year, we’ve continued to experience intense surges in call volume requiring every member of our staff to ensure the hotline remained accessible to those in need”, said Dr. Bruce Ruck, Managing Director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.

Surpassing 1 million cases reinforces the importance of AAPCC’s pledge to assist during public health emergencies and mitigate poisonings related to COVID-19. During the surge of COVID-19 cases, the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) supported members with surveillance and outreach efforts to track and reduce the spread of the Coronavirus.

Four ways to prepare, prevent, and protect against poisoning:

1. Text POISON to 797979 to save the Poison Help Hotline as a contact in your mobile phone.

2. Save the Poison Help Hotline number, 1-800-222-1222, into your mobile phone.

3. Display the Poison Help Hotline contact number throughout your home.

4. Get Info:

Web: www.aapcc.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AAPCC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aapcc/

 ALERT

Recent winter storms have left many Americans without electricity and resorting to the use of alternative equipment and appliances to heat their homes. Operating alternative heating sources can generate carbon monoxide (CO) gas.

CO gas is deadly, even though it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. There are no warning signs specific to a CO exposure. Even when it is not fatal, CO can cause permanent damage to the brain and other parts of the nervous system. It affects people of all ages, but infants, children and those who are pregnant are even more susceptible.

Potential sources of CO gas are furnaces, water heaters, stoves, ovens, kerosene space heaters, wood and gas fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, portable generators, and automobile engines. If there is a flame, CO is produced.

To prevent CO poisoning and CO related death, poison centers offer the following precautions:

•  Never attempt to heat your home by using an oven, clothes dryer, or automobile.
• Generators should only be used outdoors. When used outdoors, generators should be placed at least 20’ from doors, windows, and vents to avoid exposure to people residing indoors.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home. Check or replace the battery regularly.
• Have your home heating system and chimney inspected regularly to ensure proper ventilation.
•  Call Poison Help (1-800-222-1222) in an emergency or for more information about preventing an exposure to carbon monoxide.

Four ways to prepare, prevent, and protect against poisoning:

1. Text POISON to 797979 to save the Poison Help Hotline as a contact in your mobile phone.

2. Save the Poison Help Hotline number, 1-800-222-1222, into your mobile phone.

3. Display the Poison Help Hotline contact number throughout your home.

4. Get Info:

• Web: www.aapcc.org
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/AAPCC
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aapcc/

For National Poison Data or Information, Contact:

Yasmine Harding, MS, CHES
Director, Public Education & Communications
harding@aapcc.org

 News

Arlington, VA – The 37th Annual Report of the National Poison Data System (NPDS) is a retrospective analysis of the prior years poison exposures and emerging public health hazards. Conducted by leading toxicologists, the report can be used to review trends around top poison exposures and the distribution of exposures by age. The report reveals that in 2019 poison control centers managed approximately 2.1 million human exposure cases. The full report contains a comprehensive overview of cases managed by poison control centers in 2019 and can be accessed here.

“I would like to thank the staff of the nation’s 55 poison control centers for their dedication to providing expert treatment advice through the Poison Help Hotline,” said Richard Fogelson, American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) Chief Executive Officer. “The nationwide data collected by our specialists provides valuable public health surveillance by monitoring the causes, scope and locations of poison exposures in the U.S.” Notably, the landscape for tobacco products continues to change and the report shows that vaping/e-cigarettes continue to cause serious lung injury (EVALI) and death.

As in previous years, the majority of exposures were reported from a residence, but poison control centers also received a significant number of calls from places of work, school, and healthcare facilities. About 66% of exposures reported to centers were treated at the exposure site, saving millions of dollars in medical expenses. In addition to our timely treatment recommendations, centers’ education departments raise awareness about poison prevention and the importance of calling the Poison Help Hotline (1-800-222-1222) in a poison emergency.

AAPCC maintains NPDS, the only poison information and surveillance database in the United States, providing near real-time monitoring of unusual poisoning patterns, chemical exposures and other emerging public health hazards. NPDS contains information on more than 70 million poison exposures.

Four ways to prepare, prevent, and protect against poisoning:

1. Text POISON to 797979 to save the Poison Help Hotline as a contact in your mobile phone.

2. Save the Poison Help Hotline number, 1-800-222-1222, into your mobile phone.

3. Display the Poison Help Hotline contact number throughout your home.

4. Get Info:

Web: www.aapcc.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AAPCC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aapcc/

 News

Arlington VA- The social and environmental conditions created by the current COVID-19 pandemic such as isolation, economic uncertainty and disruption to health care services may be intensifying substance abuse conditions among members of our communities.

In partnership with the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC), the Oregon Poison Center and the Virginia Poison Center will host an interactive webinar featuring Dr. Gillian Beauchamp. Dr. Beauchamp will describe the epidemic of substance use conditions during this unique and difficult time and discuss how to move toward better understanding of these conditions and those with substance use conditions. The webinar will take place on November 4, 2020 at 2PM ET. Registration information is included below.

Register

About the speaker: Dr. Gillian Beauchamp is a member of the Medical Toxicology Fellowship and Emergency Medicine Residency faculty, as well as Assistant Director of Research in Medical Toxicology at Lehigh Valley Health Network Department of Emergency and Hospital Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology. She co-chairs the Lehigh Valley Health Network Opioid Stewardship and Linkage to Treatment Committee and the physician lead for the network’s Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) programs. Dr. Beauchamp is an assistant professor and faculty member at University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine.  She is board certified in emergency medicine, medical toxicology and addiction medicine.  She is an editorial board member of the journal Toxicology Communications, and of Journal of Medical Toxicology. Her research, education, and administrative areas of focus are opioid stewardship and linkage to treatment for people with substance use conditions, stigma, and pharmacotherapy to support recovery. Dr. Beauchamp is co-host for the podcast Tox in Ten: ACMT Highlights and a member of the American College of Medical Toxicology Public Affairs and Education Committees.

Four ways to be prepared and get confidential, and expert help 24/7/365:

1. Text POISON to 797979 to save the Poison Help Hotline as a contact in your mobile   phone.

2. Save the Poison Help Hotline number, 1-800-222-1222, into your mobile phone.

3. Display the Poison Help Hotline contact number throughout your home.

4. Get Info: Web: www.aapcc.org

      Twitter: https://twitter.com/AAPCC

     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aapcc/

 News

The American Association of Poison Control Centers Welcomes New Board Members Arlington, VA- The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) announces the addition of new officers and board members to the Board of Directors for 2020-2021. These members bring decades of experience in the field of poison information and demonstrate the vast medical expertise poison centers offer to our communities.

After serving a term as President-Elect, Julie Weber, RPh, CSPI, Director of the Missouri Poison Center, will continue her work as the AAPCC Board President. We are thankful that outgoing President, Dr. Mark Ryan, PharmD, Director, Louisiana Poison Center, will continue to serve on the board as Past President.

In July, members of AAPCC elected Dr. Carol DesLauriers, PharmD, to serve as President-Elect. Dr. DesLauriers is the Senior Director of the Illinois Poison Center.

AAPCC also elected Dr. Howell Foster, PharmD, for a second term as Secretary. Dr. Foster is the Managing Director of the Arkansas Poison & Drug Information Center.

The newly elected AAPCC Treasurer, Linda Kalin, RN, BS, CSPI, is the Executive Director of the Iowa Poison Control Center. Kalin previously served as a Director at Large on the board.

Dr. Bruce Anderson, PharmD, DABAT, FAACT, Executive Director of the Maryland Poison Center, will serve another term as an at-large member.

In addition, AAPCC members elected two new at-large members:

• Dr. Salvador Baeza, III, PharmD, DABAT, Managing Director of the West TexasRegional Poison Center and
• Dr. Alvin Bronstein, MD, FACEP, Branch Chief of Hawaii Department of Health

AAPCC would also like to thank Dr. Stuart Heard, Executive Director of the California Poison Control System and Dr. William Banner Jr., Medical Director of the Oklahoma Center for Poison & Drug Information for their many years of service on the board of directors.

 ALERT

Arlington, VA- While household cleaners have proven to be effective in preventing the spread of disease causing germs such as COVID-19, children are especially sensitive to the effects caused by an exposure to these products.

According to the National Poison Data System (NPDS), between March 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020 there was a 10% increase in exposures to household cleaners in children 0-5 years old when compared to 2019. The top exposures were to liquid laundry detergent packets, bleaches, all purpose cleaners, drain cleaners, and oven cleaners. Effects may include but are not limited to ocular irritation, nausea, vomiting, and possible burns depending on the product. Although one (1) out of six (6) exposures to household cleaners resulted in minor or moderate effects, each exposure is unique. Consult your local poison center at 1-800-222-1222 for immediate Poison Help and household cleaner information.

“During this period, 98% of exposures to household cleaners occurred in a residence”, said Richard Fogelson, AAPCC Chief Executive Officer. “Household cleaners sometimes come in shiny bright colored packages that are intriguing to the adult eye but to a naturally curious child these packages resemble candy and toys. Our team wants to ensure that we provide the public with the most accurate data to help keep families safe and prevent accidental poison exposures.”

To reduce a potential exposure to household cleaners, practice safe use and storage habits. Using child safety locks and keeping products up high and out of sight of children can prevent harmful exposures. If you have questions about household cleaners or suspect a poisoning, immediately call the Poison Help Hotline by dialing 1-800-222-1222.

Four ways to be prepared and get confidential, and expert help 24/7/365:

1. Text POISON to 797979 to save the Poison Help Hotline as a contact in your mobile phone.

2. Save the Poison Help Hotline number, 1-800-222-1222, into your mobile phone.

3. Display the Poison Help Hotline contact number throughout your home.

4. Get Info: Web: www.aapcc.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AAPCC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aapcc/

 ALERT

Arlington, VA — The US Food and Drug Administration has released a warning about hand sanitizers that may potentially be contaminated with methanol (methyl alcohol). The American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) would like to join and emphasize that this is not merely a cautionary note.

Methanol has a long history of severe toxicity and led to the term “blind drunk” because of its potential to damage the optic nerve. There have been historical outbreaks of poisoning both from ingesting methanol but most importantly from topical administration of substances containing methanol. This is especially concerning for children as they have a much higher surface area to weight ratio and are more likely to become sick from a topically applied poison than adults.

Adverse effects for the general population: Depending on the concentration of the product and amount ingested, some patients may experience nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Additional symptoms may include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and slurred speech. These potentially contaminated products have varying concentrations of methanol which means that ingestion may be extremely dangerous with toxicity including coma, respiratory depression, seizures, blindness and death.

We would like to promote the concerns of the FDA and join in warning people to stop using them immediately and dispose of these products carefully.

If you have questions or feel you are having an adverse reaction to hand sanitizer containing methanol, please contact your regional poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 for advice.