Loading ...It sounded like you may have washed out traces of it so that’s good.
Heres what he found by reading the test kit first which he didn’t take.
AI Overview
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No, cancer-causing chemicals are not an intrinsic part of a
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test itself; however, ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen, has been detected on some COVID-19 lateral flow test swabs, though it is used for sterilization rather than as a component of the test itself. The amount of ethylene oxide detected was significantly above the acceptable limit for a laboratory in Cyprus, raising concerns about potential exposure through medical devices sterilized with this chemical.
Ethylene Oxide and its Use
- What it is:A flammable, colorless gas used as a pesticide and a sterilizing agent for medical equipment.
- How it causes cancer:It is a known human carcinogen that can damage DNA.
- Exposure:People can be exposed to it by inhaling it, through industrial emissions, in tobacco smoke, and through products sterilized with it.
Relevance to Lateral Flow Tests
- Sterilization:The manufacturer of some lateral flow test swabs has confirmed the use of ethylene oxide for sterilization.
- Detection:Studies have detected ethylene oxide on these swabs.
- Concern:This raises a concern because although the process is a widely used sterilization method and the final product is safe, a high concentration of residual ethylene oxide on a swab could potentially expose a user to a carcinogenic substance.
What to do
- If you have concerns, check the packaging of your test to see if ethylene oxide was used for sterilization, as some do list this information.
- Contact your healthcare provider if you are worried about your exposure to ethylene oxide.