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Less than one day after President Donald Trump touted disinfectants’ ability to kill coronavirus, a poisoning expert in Alabama warned residents not to consume bleach and other cleaning products.
“Bleach and disinfectants are not for human consumption,” said Ann Slattery, managing director of the Alabama Poison Information Center at Children’s of Alabama, during a press conference. “We should not make the cure worse than the disease. Bleaches and disinfectants are still poisons.”
At his daily coronavirus briefing yesterday, Trump wondered whether powerful light could kill coronavirus, and then switched gears to speculate about disinfectants.
“I see the disinfectant that knocks it out in a minute, one minute,” Trump said. “And is there a way we can do something like that by injection inside or almost a cleaning? As you see, it gets in the lungs, it does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it would be interesting to check that.”
Slattery did not directly address Trump’s comments, but said the press conference was held because “there’s been a lot on the news and there are questions.”
Medical experts across the globe have pushed back on the suggestion that injected disinfectants should be studied as a coronavirus treatment, characterizing it as dangerous and irresponsible.
After the president promoted chloroquine as a potential treatment, reports surfaced of people poisoning themselves attempting to prevent coronavirus. A similar substance is used in fish tank cleaners.
Later, Trump clarified his statements about disinfectants, saying he meant them sarcastically and that cleaners should only be used on surfaces and hands.
Slattery said disinfectants should only be used on non-human surfaces and never introduced into the body.
“Disinfectants can kill viruses, but this is on counters and in petri dishes,” she said. “The PH of bleach and other products can cause burns inside the body.”
Slattery said the center hasn’t received any calls yet from people who intentionally consumed cleaning products. There has been an increase in calls about accidental exposure to disinfectants, which are up 38 percent compared to last year.
People have been using more cleaners on surfaces to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Slattery said people should store cleaning products up high, where children can’t reach. And she said adults should remember to take disinfectants with them if they are interrupted while cleaning.
“About 75 percent of exposures in children occur when the product is in use,” Slattery said. “Don’t leave the product unattended. If you get interrupted, take the product with you.”
Slattery encourages people to follow directions for all cleaning products, wearing gloves and using ventilation as directed. People with more questions can call the Alabama Poison Information Center at (800) 222-1222.
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