Abstract

SARACCO, Aldo Sergio et al. Epidemiological characterization of exposures to chlorine dioxide/ sodium chlorite in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: Report of Poison Control Centers in Latin America. Acta toxicol. argent. [online]. 2020, vol.28, n.3, pp.11-20. ISSN 1851-3743.

The Poison Control Centers in Latin America, in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, received a series of calls for consultations and recommendations related to the use of chlorine dioxide/sodium chlorite, in the treatment or prevention of CO-VID-19. Under current legislation in Latin America, no pharmaceutical products are registered for use in humans that contain chlorine dioxide or sodium chlorite, nor is there evidence of sanitary registries in Europe, Canada, or the United States for this purpose.

This publication compiles the information registered by eight Poison Control Centers that correspond to the same number of Latin American countries. Sex, age, symptoms, circumstance, and degree of severity of the 56 cases of patients poisoned with chlorine dioxide/ sodium chlorite registered in the period from March 15th to September 30th, 2020 were identified. The results obtained confirm that the most common cause of poisoning was unintentional misuse, all of which occurred at home or its surroundings, with the highest percentage of registered cases being young adults between 30 and 49 years old. The most frequent symptoms of intoxication were gastrointestinal, followed by cardiovascular and respiratory. The route of exposure in most cases was oral, with some cases reported by inhalation; 48.2% of the cases were of moderate, severe, or fatal (3 deaths). This study contributes to the generation of relevant information for different health authorities, ministries of health, entities in charge of inspection, surveillance, and control in countries where these products are illegally marketed through social networks and promoted for use in humans to prevent or cure COVID-19.

Keywords : Poisoning; Sodium chlorite; Chlorine dioxide; MMS.

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