Certain rapid antigen tests kits for COVID-19 contain a reagent that could be toxic if ingested. What is the toxic reagent? What kits contain this reagent?
Sodium azide (NaN3) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless reagent in a solution dropped onto the test device.
Kits containing NaN3 include BinaxNOW <https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72×72/2122.png> (Abbott), BD Veritor <https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72×72/2122.png> (Beckton, Dickinson and Company), Celltrion DiaTrust <https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72×72/2122.png> (Celltrion), and Flowflex <https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72×72/2122.png> (ACON Laboratories).
BD Veritor <https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72×72/2122.png> and Celltrion DiaTrust <https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.1.0/72×72/2122.png> have the largest quantities (~ 0.3 mg). While the quantity is likely below a toxic dose for adults, it may cause symptoms in small children.
Contributed by: Michael Mullins, MD
Johnson-Arbor K, Reid N, Smolinske S. Human toxicity from COVID-19 rapid home test kits, Am J Emerg Med 2022 (online ahead of print) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2022.01.048 <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2022.01.048__;!!GobTDDpD7A!cuumJL4ldjn-rtSFgzGkIpJXTTeTxAlkmUuGHPIF0r0s-IOeDbJOsT5Vp8OcG-OtyKo$> .