Some at-home rapid COVID-19 tests contain a toxic chemical that may be harmful to both children and adults, according to health officials with the National Capital Poison Center.
Sodium azide is a colorless, odorless powder that testers dip cotton swabs into. The chemical is found in herbicides, pest control agents, and airbags for cars.
"Small doses of sodium azide can lower blood pressure, and larger doses may cause more serious health effects," an advisory from Health Canada also said. "ProClin is also found in many kits. It contains chemicals that can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as allergic reactions."
Some hospitals around the United States say they have received a surge in phone calls about exposures to the chemical.
"Mostly, I've been very worried about our young children," Goertemoeller said.
"People might mistake them for eye drops. Children might drop it onto their skin. Adults will sometimes mistakenly put them into their eyes," said Johnson-Arbor.
"You don't want to leave it on the skin because it could potentially cause an allergic reaction or a skin rash. If someone drinks the solution, it's really important to contact poison control right away," she added. "The solutions have different ingredients. Some have non-toxic ingredients and others have more dangerous ingredients."
Officials told WNEP that there is no need to throw away the test kits, but people should be mindful when using them.
"Use them properly, dispose of them properly and it won't cause an issue," Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, with St. Luke's University Health Network, told the outlet.
If you suspect you or someone you know has ingested the chemical, officials recommend not to make the person vomit. For eye exposures, rinse the eyes for 15 to 20 minutes with warm water. For skin exposures, rinse the skin well with tap water.