Upstate poison center: More than a dozen calls about exposure to liquid in COVID home tests
The Upstate New York Poison Center has already received more than a dozen calls about children exposed to the liquid that comes in small vials inside at-home COVID-19 kits, according to a news release from the center.
The liquid, which varies from kit to kit, creates the chemical reaction that produces positive or negative test results, and may contain dangerous compounds.
“For a good number of at-home Covid-19 test kits, it is unlikely someone who is accidentally exposed to the liquid in a test kit will become sick,” Dr. Vince Calleo, the center’s medical director, said in the release. “However, determination of the test, ingredients, and volume is essential in determining if the liquid was toxic. If you or anyone in your home develops symptoms, please call our poison center or seek immediate medical attention.”
But center staff are urging families to be careful. If kids bring tests home from school, get them out of backpacks and put them away immediately, staff said.
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Other precautions urged by the center include: storing the kits high up and out of reach; following directions carefully to make sure the results are accurate; throwing the kit away immediately after use; and contacting the poison center with any concerns at 1-800-222-1222.
“We just want to remind families that the liquid bottles can look like other common household products like glue or even eye drops,” said Administrative Director Michele Caliva in the release. “Young kids could be drawn to the small bottle and could experience irritation. We want to help families avoid any potential poisonings.”
The center serves 54 counties outside of the metropolitan area in New York.
Amy Roth is the health and education reporter for the Observer-Dispatch. Email Amy Roth at aroth@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Upstate poison center warns about risks of liquids in COVID home tests
