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Accidental bleach and disinfectant poisonings on the rise during pandemic, according to health expert

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- March 21 through 27 is National Poison Prevention Week. The week raises awareness of poison prevention nationwide to shine light on the dangers of poisonings.

Dr. Sarah Watkins, the Medical Director of the West Texas Regional Poison Center and Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, said there has been an increase in certain accidental poisonings during the pandemic.

Dr. Watkins said calls for accidental bleach poisonings have gone 35% during the pandemic and calls for accidental disinfectant poisonings have gone up 55% during the pandemic. Dr. Watkins said calls relating to hand sanitizer exposures went up 73% in 2020 compared to 2019.

If you suspect you or someone you know has suffered an accidental poisoning, call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Watch the full interview in the media module above.

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Madeline Ottilie

Madeline Ottilie is a reporter on Good Morning El Paso and co-anchors ABC-7 at noon.

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