Category: Tox Hot Topics

November is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Month

Posted on by Tox Team

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of fuels. Common sources include automobiles, gasoline-powered lawn equipment, wood stoves, fireplaces, grills, and appliances that burn oil or gas. According to the Blue Ridge Poison Control Center, CO kills around 500 people annually, with many more suffering from related injuries. Portable generators, especially when used too close to homes, are the leading cause of CO fatalities. 

CO is undetectable by sight or smell, so people may not realize they are being exposed. When inhaled, it enters the lungs and binds to red blood cells, preventing oxygen from reaching vital organs. Early symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, nausea, and drowsiness, which are often mistaken for the flu. As exposure continues, symptoms may worsen, leading to chest pain, dizziness, confusion, and even loss of consciousness. Untreated, CO poisoning can result in severe health issues or death. 

Carbon monoxide detectors are critical safety devices that provide an early warning of CO presence, helping to prevent poisoning before symptoms develop.  

In addition to CO detectors, here are some other safety measures to consider:  

  1. Generator Placement: Always position portable power generators at least 20 feet away from your home. This distance helps prevent CO from entering your living space. 
  2. Avoid Enclosed Spaces: Never use generators, grills, or any fuel-burning appliances in enclosed areas like attics, porches, basements, or garages, as these spaces can trap CO.
  3. Vehicle Safety: If you need to warm up your car or motorcycle, always pull it out of the garage first. Even a running engine can produce dangerous levels of CO in an enclosed area.
  4. Annual Maintenance: Have your furnace and chimneys professionally inspected and cleaned at least once a year. This ensures that any leaks or worn parts are identified and repaired, reducing the risk of CO buildup. 
  5. Appliance Use: Use your oven and stovetop strictly for cooking. Do not use them as a heating source for your home, as this can lead to CO accumulation.  

By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in your home. For more information, visit VDH’s Carbon Monoxide FAQ.

National Drug Take Back Day is October 26

Posted on by Tox Team

Many of us have old prescription medicines we no longer need in our cabinets, or old expired over the counter medicines. Taking expired medications isn’t safe, and storing unneeded medication increases the risk a child could get into the medicines and be poisoned. Other medications are sometimes abused, and these could be taken by teenagers at risk for substance abuse. In order to help people dispose of medicines safely, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is holding an National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on October 26. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has a search for collection sites near you. Unused prescription medications can be disposed of at collection sites safely and anonymously.

While it’s best to get rid of old medicines with a prescription drug take back program, if you need to you can dispose of them other ways. The Food and Drug Administration has directions on how to safety throw away old medicines, and has a list of medicines that they recommend flushing. Medicines on the “flush list” are especially dangerous because they are easy to overdose on, and some are frequently abused. If you have one of the medicines on the “flush list” and no longer need it, it is best to get rid of it immediately by flushing it down the toilet instead of waiting for a drug take back event.

Hurricane Helene and Flooded Homes

Posted on by Tox Team

Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26 in Florida, but then moved north, ending far inland. When it reached the Appalachian Mountains, heavy rainfall led to flash flooding and landslides. In southwest Virginia, many people are still without power and cell service, and roads are blocked by fallen trees or washed away by flooding. Virginia received approval for a federal emergency declaration for the counties of Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe and the City of Galax.  People needing help with cleanup can call the Hurricane Helene Crisis Clean Up hotline at 1-844-965-1386 and contact their local emergency manager for help. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) has a page for Hurricane Helene with information about cleanup and damage assessments.

If your home has been flooded, be cautious when returning. Flooded homes can have a variety of dangers, such as electric shocks, mold, broken glass and other debris, bacteria in flood water and mud, and structural problems. Don’t return to the area until local officials have said it is safe. Do not enter a flooded home until it has been inspected to make sure it is safe. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has guidance for cleaning up a flooded home.

Drinking water systems may not be able to disinfect water properly because of flooding. Before you drink the water, check with your water utility to make sure there is not a boil water advisory. For a boil water advisory, bring water to a rolling boil and let it boil for one minute, then cool before using. Some communities will also have drinking water distribution points. Check with your local officials for where you can go to get bottled water.

 

 

Hallucinogenic Mushroom Gummies

Posted on by Tox Team

Mushroom-based products, particularly gummies and chocolates, have surged in popularity since 2023, marketed as either health supplements or hallucinogenic psychedelics. Notable varieties include Amanita muscaria, which contains ibotenic acid and muscimol, and Psilocybe cubensis, known for its psilocybin content. However, these products are associated with serious health risks, including hallucinations, anxiety, nausea, and even seizures, with recent reports of at least five hospitalizations in Virginia and 130 cases nationally linked to their consumption.

Investigations have revealed that many mushroom gummies contain undisclosed and potentially harmful substances, including synthetic psilocybin and stimulants like caffeine and kratom. The FDA has issued recalls for certain products due to these dangerous ingredients, highlighting the unregulated nature of the market. Consumers are advised to be cautious, verify product contents, and report any adverse effects to health authorities.

CDC and FDA Investigating Illnesses from Consuming Diamond Shruumz(TM) Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies

Posted on by Tox Team

A variety of Diamond ShruumzTM brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies advertised as containing a proprietary blend of mushrooms have been recalled after an outbreak of illness among people consuming these products. While the products have been recalled, some stores may still have these products on the shelf. People who have any of these products should call the manufacturer (Prophet Premium Brands, (209) 314-0881) about a refund and destroy the product. You can get more information about the recall on the CDC outbreak investigation page.

At this point more than a hundred people have reported becoming ill after using these products. Symptoms included seizures, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, respiratory failure, confusion, agitation, abnormal heart rate, abnormally high or low blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting. If you have any of these symptoms after using these products, get medical help and let your provider know about this recall.

EPA Stops Use of Dacthal

Posted on by Tox Team

The EPA on August 6 issued an emergency order to suspend all registrations of dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA, or Dacthal), a pesticide primarily used on crops. EPA warned in April 2024 that Dacthal could harm the health of people who are exposed to it during normal use. EPA has been investigating this pesticide’s safety, and determined that there was no way to prevent health risks. Dacthal is especially dangerous for pregnant women. It can harm the development of babies during pregnancy and cause low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ, and impaired motor skills. Because of this, EPA ordered the immediate suspension of sale and use of this pesticide.

Crumb Rubber Playing Fields

Posted on by Tox Team

What is crumb rubber?

Crumb rubber is recycled rubber that is cut into tiny pieces and spread on playing fields and playgrounds. On playing fields it is typically covered with artificial turf, but on playground may be used as an alternative to mulch, or laid as a smooth surface.  Crumb rubber is used on these playing surfaces because it is springy and protects people from injury when they fall, provides a flat surface, requires minimal maintenance, and no watering or pesticides.
Continue reading “Crumb Rubber Playing Fields” →

FDA Finds Lead in More Ground Cinnamon Products

Posted on by Tox Team

Since lead was found in applesauce last year and determined to be from the cinnamon used, the FDA and partner states have been testing ground cinnamon products for lead. Since March 2024, FDA has found multiple ground cinnamon products with unsafe levels of lead. To this point, all of the products have had much lower levels than the cinnamon found in the applesauce that was recalled. However, these products are still hazardous to people’s health, especially children and pregnant women. You can see if you have bought any of these products at the FDA website:

Some products have been voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer and can be returned to the store for a refund. Others have not been recalled yet. People with these cinnamon products should not continue to use them and should throw them away.

EPA Announces new Drinking Water Standards for PFAS

Posted on by Tox Team

The EPA has announced new drinking water standards for per- and poly-fluorinated compounds, also called PFAS. These chemicals have unique properties that make them useful for reducing sticking and friction between surfaces. They are used in non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, stain-resistant clothes, household cleaners, paints and finishes, and industrial machinery. Unfortunately, many PFAS have been found to be harmful to people’s health, and are “forever chemicals” that can be found in the environment for many years. People can reduce their exposure to PFAS in consumer produces by using EPA Safer Choice certified products, and EPA is now reducing PFAS in drinking water.

There are hundreds of PFAS, but the EPA is focusing on a handful. The PFAS EPA is focusing on are linked to health effects including several types of cancer and reduced immunity. EPA is setting individual limits for five PFAS (PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA or GenX chemicals). EPA is also setting a limit on mixtures exceeding a safe level of a group of four PFAS (PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX Chemicals).  Drinking water systems will be required to test for these chemicals and treat the water to lower their concentration if they are too high. The new standards will be implemented over the next few years. Drinking water systems must test their water for PFAS and report the results to customers within three years. They must treat water to meet the new standards within five years.

EPA Warns Farmworkers About Risks of Dacthal

Posted on by Tox Team

On April 1st, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the herbicide tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA), commonly known as Dacthal, may pose a risk to people who apply the pesticide or enter treated fields. This was determined during a registration review, which is done every 15 years to ensure the safety of registered pesticides. DCPA is an herbicide widely used to control weeds, particularly in agricultural settings where crops like broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, and onions are grown. 

The agency estimated that pregnant individuals working with DCPA products could be exposed to levels of the herbicide that are 4 to 20 times higher than what is considered safe, even if proper personal protective equipment and engineering controls are used. Additionally, the current label restricts entry into treated areas for 12 hours, but these areas may remain unsafe for 25 days or longer. The babies of people exposed to Dacthal during pregnancy could be at risk for low birth weight, impaired brain development, decreased IQ, and impaired motor skills. 

The EPA is issuing a warning to farmworkers based on these findings, and is in the process of determining if use of this pesticide needs to be suspended or cancelled.