In the News 2023-2024

The New Jersey Poison Control Center collaborates with the media to inform the public about potential poisoning dangers and how to prevent accidental poison exposures. Here’s the latest media coverage featuring our Poison Experts!

Press and Media Inquiries

For information and interview requests, contact Alicia Gambino, Director of Educational Services, 973-972-9280 or [email protected]

Available for Interviews:

Diane P. Calello, MD, Executive and Medical Director, NJ Poison Control Center at Rutgers NJ Medical School

Bruce Ruck, Pharm.D., Managing Director, NJ Poison Control Center at Rutgers NJ Medical School

NJPIES in the News 2022       NJPIES in the News 2021

Image of Neptune's Fix products - Elixir and tablets (Image Credit: FDA Alert January 2024)

 

 

CDC warns that Neptune’s Fix — ‘gas station heroin’ — may contain synthetic pot

NBC News, February 1, 2024

Image of a Stanley Tumbler (Image Credit: AMAZON / HEALTH)

 

Stanley Cups Contain ‘Some Lead’—Does That Make Them Dangerous to Use?

Health.com, February 1, 2024

The FDA is warning consumers to not purchase or use Neptune's Fix products, or any other product with tianeptine, which is not approved in the U.S.

 

Neptune’s Fix products recalled nationwide due to serious health risks

CBS News, January 30, 2024

Two laundry detergent pods against a white background (Getty Images)

 

Poisoning from laundry detergent pods has gone up among older children, teens and adults. Here’s why — and how to stay safe.

Yahoo Life, January 29, 2024

Two young children playing outside and licking snow

 

Weather Questions: How Safe Is It To Eat Illinois Snow?

The Ticket Sports Radio, January 19, 2024

A blister pack of Singulair tablets, a prescription medicine used for asthma and allergies.

 

Singulair’s Boxed Warning Went Ignored. How Do You Know If Your Medications Are Safe?

Very Well Health, January 17, 2024

Neptune’s Fix and other dietary supplements sold at convenience stores, smoke shops and gas stations that contain an ingredient called tianeptine. They’re part of a growing class of unregulated, potentially addictive products that are widely available.Credit...Sonny Figueroa/The New York Times

 

The New York Times, January 10, 2024

A Rutgers Poison Control expert discusses the health risks posed to children from this popular toy, which lawmakers are seeking to ban

Rutgers Today, January 5, 2024

A person holding a bunch of water beads in their hands.

 

Water beads could be banned soon. Why you should keep this toy away from kids.

NJ.com, January 3, 2024

Decorated Christmas tree with ornaments and bows (ANASTASIIA KRIVENOK//GETTY IMAGES)

 

8 Surprising Holiday Health Hazards to Have on Your Radar

Prevention.com, December 22, 2023

As weight loss drugs have become more popular, so have calls to poison control centers, according to newly released data.AP

 

Poison control centers report a 1500% increase in calls related to weight loss drugs

NJ.com, December 22, 2023

Light blue wrapped gift box with silver ornaments.

 

 

Keep the Holidays Merry and Bright

River Dell Patch, December 21, 2023

Poison centers are reporting a sharp increase in calls about the drug semaglutide, which Novo Nordisk sells as Wegovy for treating weight loss. Uncredited / AP

 

 

Weight-loss drugs prompt calls to poison centers

Philly Inquirer, December 20, 2023

Wild mushroom poisonings are not unique to New Jersey, with foraging growing in popularity throughout the country. Photo credit Dave Hernandez. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance

 

Poisonous mushrooms sickened 159 in N.J. this year amid foraging renaissance

NJ.com, December 19, 2023

Water pouring down a gutter of a house during an intense rainstorm. (Willowpix | Getty Images Signature)

 

Life-Saving Information: CO Poisoning is a Serious Risk During Outages

Montville Patch, December 19, 2023

Cinnamon applesauce pouches from Weis, WanaBanana and Schnucks have been recalled due to lead contamination. Image Credit: Food and Drug Administration

 

Lead contamination in applesauce pouches may have been ‘intentional act,’ FDA official tells Politico

CNN, December 15, 2023

Cost of lead poisoning drug jumps from $3,500 to $32,000 making it hard for hospitals to stock

 

Cost of lead poisoning drug jumps from $3,500 to $32,000, making it hard for hospitals to stock

CBS News, November 22, 2023

The FDA is warning consumers to not purchase or use Neptune's Fix products, or any other product with tianeptine, which is not approved in the U.S.

 

FDA warns about Neptune’s Fix supplements after reports of seizures and hospitalizations

CBS News, November 22, 2023

“Girls Day” Ends in Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

 

Smoking Hookah Leads to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Woman Thought She Was ‘Going to Die

TheMessenger, November 21, 2023

A person pulling a turkey out of an oven.

 

Poison Control Center Tips on Preventing Illness This Holiday Season

Rutgers Today, November 17, 2023

The saliva test for COVID-19, developed by Rutgers researchers, is the first FDA-approved at-home test for the virus.

How Rutgers Health Mobilized to Fight COVID-19

Rutgers Health, November 13, 2023

Halloween Safety Tips from News 12 New Jersey

 

Halloween safety reminders: Officials warn parents to check Halloween candy

News 12 New Jersey, October 31, 2023

Eddie Redmayne plays Charles Cullen in "The Good Nurse." (John Wheeler/Getty Images) Read More: Netflix true-crime documentary exposes NJ serial killer cover up | https://nj1015.com/what-good-nurse-left-out-netflix-documentary-gets-deeper-into-nj-killer-cover-up/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

 

Netflix true-crime documentary exposes NJ serial killer cover up

NJ 101.5 FM, October 25, 2023

Image of a White amanitas (Amanita phalloides) mushrooms (Doubravka Pozarova/Canva)

 

Highly Poisonous NJ Mushrooms Hospitalizing More People

WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM, October 18, 2023

Dr. Diane Calello, medical executive director for the New Jersey Poison Control Center (left), and Dianna Houenou, chair of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, examine cannabis safe storage pouches at the launch of the CRC’s statewide cannabis safety campaign on Oct. 11, 2023. - CRC

 

NJ cannabis regulators launch statewide safe-use campaign

NJBIZ, October 12, 2023

Cannabis safety material from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission's safe cannabis use campaign.

 

Weed is legal in NJ, but still dangerous — how to keep yourself, others safe

NJ 101.5, October 11, 2023

The New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission launched its first cannabis safe use campaign Wednesday with several community partners including the New Jersey Poison Center, Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, AAA Northeast and the New Jersey CannaBusiness Association.

 

N.J. launches safe-use campaign to deter children, pregnant moms, drivers from consuming cannabis

NJ.com, October 11, 2023

Poisonous extract of yellow oleander has been found in weight-loss supplements that are labeled as containing a different plant called tejocote, poison-control experts at Rutgers University say. A 23-month-old New Jersey toddler was rushed to the hospital after ingesting the product.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A New Jersey toddler was rushed to the hospital, vomiting, after chewing on what was labeled as a weight-loss supplement

Philly Inquirer, September 18, 2023

A woman in the kitchen with a laptop ordering a dietary supplement online.

Notes from the Field: Online Weight Loss Supplements Labeled as Tejocote (Crataegus mexicana) Root, Substituted with Yellow Oleander (Cascabela thevetia) — United States, 2022

CDC, September 15, 2023

A display of just some of the vaping products confiscated from students at Skyview High in Billings, Montana. Officials said there were more products that were taken, but they were introduced as evidence in a court after ticketing students for minor in possession. (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan)

 

Doctors sound the alarm about child nicotine poisoning as vapes flood the U.S. market

Washington State Standard, September 6, 2023

 

More NJ Children Are Accidentally Eating Edibles, Center Finds

New Brunswick Patch, August 30, 2023

New research shows the effect of THC on kids.

 

Study on kids hospitalized after eating a marijuana edible shows effects of THC. Here’s what parents need to know.

Yahoo, August 29, 2023

A bunch of different vape pens and cartridges

 

Nicotine exposure on the rise in NJ among young children

NJ 101.5 FM, August 21, 2023

Death cap mushrooms can be deadly.

 

What are death cap mushrooms and why are they so deadly? Experts explain.

Yahoo, August 12, 2023

Flavored vaping liquids can appear to be a tasty treat for children. But with nicotine exposures in children on the rise, experts are warning parents to avoid purchasing flavored vaping liquids or to keep them out of reach of children.

 

Nicotine exposures are skyrocketing among kids in N.J. and Pa. — especially those under 5

The Philly Inquirer, August 11, 2023

NBC News: Child nicotine poisonings rise as e-cig sales surge

 

Child nicotine poisonings rise as e-cig sales surge

NBC News, August 1, 2023

Common sources of lead found in homes include lead-based paint.

 

America Has Shortage of Key Lead-Poisoning Drug

Wall Street Journal, July 11, 2023

Hand with the word "Suicide" written across it in red letters.

Photo Credit: filipefrazao, ThinkStock

 

NJ Poison Control reveals disturbing suicide trend among teens

NJ 101.5 FM, June 12, 2023

Sad teen youth sitting on the bed

Photo Credit: sestovic, Getty Images Signature

 

NJ Poison Control raises alarm on increase in youth suicide attempts. Here’s how to help

NorthJersey.com, June 5, 2023

Person holding a blister pack of round pills.

Photo from the Rutgers Today story.

 

New Jersey Poison Center Data Shows Suicide Attempts Among Teenagers Are High

Rutgers Today, June 1, 2023

Dr. Howard Greller of the NJ Poison Control Center and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School talks about the health risks in recent TikTok challenges.

Rutgers University doctor discusses the dangers in recent TikTok challenges

ABC News, April  21, 2023

pink pills

TikTok’s Benadryl Challenge Is Deadly—Here’s What to Know

Yahoo! Life, April 19, 2023

 

More Kids Rushed to Hospital After Eating Gummies

Good Morning America, April 7, 2023

 

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Flour, CDC Warns—Experts Explain How to Stay Safe

Prevention, April 4, 2023

 

More money set to treat lead poisoning in children

NJ Spotlight News, April 4, 2023

 

Pfizer Recalls Millions of Packs of the Migraine Drug Nurtec ODT Due to Child Safety Concerns

Healthline, March 21, 2023

 

NJ Poison Control Center Celebrates National Poison Prevention Week

RLS Media , March 16, 2023

 

 

She tried to kill herself at 13. Why girls make the majority of N.J. teen overdose attempts.

NJ.com, March 11, 2023

 

Opioids Cause Half of All Poisonings in U.S. Kids Age 5 and Younger

US News & World Report, March 8, 2023

 

How Watchung’s Bruce Ruck helped to capture the ‘killer nurse’ Echoes Sentinel News newjerseyhills.com

Echoes – Sentinel, February 20, 2023

Two snow men

 

 

Is it safe to eat snow?

MyStateLine.com, February 15, 2023

Edible cannabis samples were tested at a Santa Ana, Calif., lab in 2018. More young children are accidentally ingesting edibles, in some cases because they look like gummies or other candy, a new study finds.

 

More Young Kids Are Being Poisoned By Pot That Looks Like Candy, Leading To Seizures and Comas

Philly Inquirer, February 8, 2023

Baby food, which can contain lead, in jars with lids.

 

Why do so many foods contain lead? How much is safe? Experts explain.

Yahoo, February 1, 2023

 

Rutgers study: Certain sleep meds linked to overdose in younger users

NJ 101.5 FM, January 19, 2023

A bag of THC-infused Doritos spilled onto a paper towel.

 

A New Study Found Kids Consuming Cannabis at Astronomical Rates — Because the Packaging Looks so Yummy

Insider, January 8, 2023

 

As Legal Cannabis Expands, More Kids Are Getting Sick From Edibles

Healthline, January 5, 2023

Marijuana in various forms, including dried flower, edibles and concentrates, is displayed for sale at a black market

 

Cases of Young Kids Eating Legal Weed Edibles Skyrocketing, Researchers Say

Asbury Park Press, January 5, 2023