In late April, President Trump infamously mused that injections of bleach or the use of ultraviolet light could be used to treat coronavirus. These comments were immediately subjected to intense criticism, with many highlighting bleach consumption as obviously unsafe and potentially lethal under any circumstance.

Now, it seems that Trump’s words have had the effect that many feared reported cases of accidental bleach or disinfectant poisoning have spiked in recent weeks, according to data released by the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC). If related to Trump’s April comments, it would reflect a similar uptick in harm done as when he advocated the untested drug, hydroxychloroquine, as a treatment for COVID-19.

However, the AAPCC’s data shows that cases ticked up significantly starting March and continuing through April, well-before the President’s remarks. The numbers for January and February were mostly consistent with the numbers from 2019.

Reports indicate that most of these cases were the result of Americans attempting to disinfect their homes more than ever and becoming exposed to fumes. Some cases also involved children accidentally drinking the chemicals.

The data still suggests a continued spike in cases for May. Between May 1-10, there were 966 cases of disinfectant poisoning and 1,747 cases for bleach, compared to 573 and 1,155 cases, respectively, from the same span in 2019.

Bleach
In the photo, bottles of Clorox bleach sit on a shelf at a grocery store in San Francisco, California, Feb. 11, 2011. Getty Images/ Justin Sullivan
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