Abstract

SARACCO, Aldo Sergio et al. Guidelines for action and approach to chlorine dioxide/sodium chlorite poisoning based on the experience of the CIATs in Latin America. Acta toxicol. argent. [online]. 2021, vol.29, n.3, pp.133-146. ISSN 1851-3743.

On March 11th, 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic due to COVID-19. Faced with this sce- nario, the Poison Control Centers (CIATs for its initials in spanish) in Latin America began to receive consultations for exposure/poi- soning to chlorine dioxide/sodium chlorite and its related compounds for their use aimed to prevent or treat COVID-19 without any scientific endorsement or having a sanitary registry for that purpose. It was found through the Toxicology Network of Latin America and the Caribbean (RETOXLAC) that they were not isolated events but rather that the same phenomenon was occurring throughout the region and that there has been a history of poisoning and alerts with these products for more than a decade with unapproved indications for the treatment of different pathologies such as AIDS, cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), malaria, autism, among others, without evidence. In the light of this situation, the CIATs present a review of the signs and symptoms observed ac- cording to the route of exposure based on health risk communication; proposing tests to support the diagnosis, an algorithm for poisoning treatment, and a model of a clinical record for the epidemiological surveillance of the assisted cases.

We recommend to the authorities and responsible organisms reinforce the actions aimed at surveillance, control, and prevention of this type of poisoning due to the misuse of an unauthorized disinfectant for therapeutic or medical purposes.

Keywords : Sodium chlorite; Chlorine dioxide; Poisoning; Diagnostic; Clinical care; Treatment.

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