Poisonings linked to cleaning supplies spike in US during pandemic

https://news.yahoo.com/poisonings-linked-cleaning-supplies-spike-us-during-pandemic-205018615.html

AFP•April 20, 2020

Calls to US poison centers have risen 20 percent this year because of exposure to bleach and other disinfectants, health authorities said Monday, linking the surge to COVID-19 cleaning recommendations.

From January to March 2020, poison centers received 45,550 calls about dangerous exposure to cleaning chemicals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a report, up from 37,822 the year before.

The number of calls rose sharply in March -- around the time that most state lockdowns went into effect -- with exposures to children under the age of five years accounting for the biggest percentage.

Exposure to bleaches, non-alcoholic disinfectants and hand sanitizers all saw sharp rises, with the main route being inhalation.

•••••

The health agency recommended that to avoid such exposures, people using cleaning products should always read and follow instructions on labels, only use water at room temperature for dilution, and avoid mixing chemicals.

They should also wear eye and skin protection, ensure they are cleaning with adequate ventilation, and keep chemicals out of reach of children.