April 14, 2020                                                                 

Contact:Danny Chun: 630-276-5558

[email protected]

IPC Cleaning Product Exposures Up 30%

COVID-19 Pandemic Causes Surge in Exposures reported to Nation’s Oldest Poison Center

The Illinois Poison Center (IPC) urges people to use caution with cleaning products, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to IPC data, exposures to cleaning products are up 30%, compared to last year, related to novel coronavirus transmission precautions and concerns. Examples of exposures the IPC is managing include:

• People using non-traditional chemicals to wash their hands (e.g. bleach, hydrogen peroxide, wipes, etc.) instead of regular hand soap resulting in rash/irritation and cracked skin.
• People using chemicals (e.g. bleach, wipes, cleaning powders) to wash their groceries, including produce and are then concerned about toxicity upon ingestion;
• Mixing cleaning chemicals together and inadvertently producing toxic gas; and
• Pediatric exposures to cleaning products left open/unattended.     Read more…  

Additional information re: poison prevention and common substances involved in a poisoning exposure:

"My Child Ate..."  Resource Center (46 of the most common substances involved in a pediatric exposure:  poop, silica gel, glow sticks, play doh, cat litter, makeup, etc.

Free online Poison Prevention Education Course and CEC's

Cannabis 101: Unintended consequences of unintentional exposures in youngsters

Cannabis 101:  Vaping

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The Illinois Poison Center (IPC) is a nonprofit health service that provides the people of Illinois with comprehensive and trusted information and treatment advice on potentially harmful substances via a free, confidential 24-hour helpline staffed by specially trained physicians, nurses and pharmacists.