Calls To Poison Centers Skyrocket As Americans Overdo It On Disinfectants

TOPLINE

When coronavirus spread across the country last month, Americans bought disinfecting supplies like bleach and wipes in bulk, but many may have been misusing them — the CDC reports that calls to poison centers increased sharply in the month of March.

KEY FACTS

Key background

Although ethanol-based hand sanitizers like Purell are safe to use externally, they can be dangerous to consume because of their high alcohol content. In one case, a preschool-aged child was taken to the emergency room with a blood alcohol level of 273 mg/dL, more than triple the legal driving limit for adults. Although she recovered, it demonstrates how having increased chemicals around the house can result in accidents. Still, hand sanitizer is a go-to tool to fight the spread of coronavirus and is very, very hard to come by. 

Additional info

There are right — and wrong — ways to use disinfectants and cleaners. The National Pesticide Information System published a guide specifically for controlling coronavirus.

Further reading

The Surprising—And Surprisingly Contentious—History of Purell (Vanity Fair)

As Deaths Rise, U.S. To Require Nursing Homes To Alert Families Of Coronavirus Cases (Forbes)

The First Phase Of Reopening The Country Has Begun — And It’s A Patchwork Of Small Steps (Forbes)

Shake Shack Returns $10 Million PPP Loan Amid Criticism Of Restaurant Chains Receiving Stimulus Funds (Forbes)

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