Banner Poison Center in Phoenix warns of harmful chemical in COVID-19 test kits

PHOENIX — As the use of at-home COVID-19 test kits rises, so has the number of accidental exposures to a chemical in the test kits that can be harmful.

That chemical is called sodium azide, and it is especially harmful to children.

“It’s a small percentage that’s in there,” Maureen Roland, a registered nurse and the managing director for the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center, told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“However, if enough of it was ingested, it can cause a lot of irritation, possibly nausea and vomiting.”

She added it can even lower blood pressure.

Over the past few months, the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center has seen an increase in calls about exposures to the sodium azide in the COVID-19 test kits now that more people have started using them at home. Poison centers across the nation are seeing a similar trend.

The chemical usually comes in eye droppers that kids can easily squirt into their mouth or eyes.

“We recommend, definitely, if you’re going to be using one of these test kits, be cautious,” Roland said.

“When you’re done with it, throw it away immediately. Don’t leave it on the counter where toddlers or young children can easily grab it.”

It’s not just kids who are at risk as many of the calls regarding sodium azide exposures from the COVID-19 test kits have been from adults who accidentally squirted it into their eyes.

Roland noted the rise in these exposures is similar to what the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center witnessed at the start of the pandemic with hand sanitizer-related poisoning accidents. There was also an increase in exposures to household cleaning products as more people worked from home and children did virtual learning.

She encourages anyone who is exposed to harmful chemicals to call the poison center right away at 1-800-222-1222. The hotline operates 24 hours a day and is staffed with registered nurses, pharmacists and other health professionals who can advise if a visit to the emergency room is needed.

“We would rather people call us immediately and it be a non-exposure than for them to wait too long,” she stressed.

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