July 15, 2022
A recent increase in fatal sodium nitrite poisonings has some health experts calling for stricter regulation of the substance. Sodium nitrite is a white salt commonly used in curing meat but it’s also being used as a poison in suicides. Ont. saw at least 28 sodium nitrite poisoning deaths between 1980 and 2020, with most happening in the last two years of that period. AHS’ poison centre, which also serves the N.W.T. and Sask., saw at least two sodium nitrite poisonings causing serious harm last year and two more this year. The trend appears to be driven by online forums detailing how to dose sodium nitrite for suicide. Physicians argue that lawmakers could intervene to block the purchase of sodium nitrite online.