In 2020, poison centers across the nation saw an increase in exposures to household cleaning products, chemicals, and medications. With more people working remotely and children schooling at home, there continues to be an increased potential for poisoning accidents.
“Please be alert about the location of these products and keep them out of reach for small children,” said Maureen Roland, managing director of the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center. “Our center saw a 140% increase in calls about hand sanitizer exposures (such as ingestion) in 2020, and nearly all were preventable”.
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Another major concern among medical experts is the risk that certain hand sanitizers – those on the FDA recall list for containing methanol – maybe still be in use or available in the community.
“Methanol ingestion can result in blindness and organ failure. Even small amounts can be fatal without immediate treatment,” said Dr. Daniel Brooks, medical director of the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center.
A complete list of the recalled products can be found at www.fda.gov.
If you or a loved one believe there has been an exposure to any poison, medication or chemical, please call the poison center immediately at 1-800-222-1222. The poison centers can assist in evaluating and managing the situation, and help determine if it is necessary to seek additional medical attention.
The Banner Poison and Drug Information Center in Phoenix provides free and confidential poison and drug information to the public and health care professionals. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The Banner Poison and Drug Information Center is part of 55 centers across the nation that is accredited by American Association of Poison Control Centers. Call 1-800-222-1222 from any location to reach the poison center nearest you.
