The nucleic acid test sampling cotton swab contains carcinogens? Here comes the rumor debunking!

[This issue's rumors]:

Recently, rumors that nucleic acid test sampling cotton swabs contain carcinogens such as ethylene oxide and fluorescent agents have attracted attention. The rumor claims that "sampling swabs are not called cotton swabs because they are chemical fibers, and are professionally called fluorescent probes. They contain highly toxic carcinogenic ethylene oxide, easily broken nylon fibers, Morgellons fibers, radioactive elements such as technetium, and fluorescent agents... which can damage the blood-brain barrier and cause damage to facial nerves and olfactory nerves." Are these claims true?

【NetEase Health Assessment】：

rumor!

【Rumor Identification Points】:

1. Material of the sampling swab

The sampling swab is different from the cotton swab used in daily life.

The sampling swab looks like a cotton swab, but it is not the cotton swab used in daily life. The material of the daily cotton swab is absorbent cotton, while the material of the sampling swab is nylon fiber or polyester.

The sampling swab adopts the flocking method of spraying and electrostatic charge, so that millions of nylon microfibers are evenly attached to the handle end vertically, so that there are no absorption holes in the collection area of ​​the entire collection swab. This is conducive to faster and more efficient sample elution, rather than "easy to break" as rumored.

"Morgellons disease" is a controversial medical symptom name, but there is no such substance as "Morgellons fiber" on the raw material market. The rumor maker deliberately made a mystery and used obscure words to mislead the public.

2. Whether the sampling swab contains toxic substances

The sampling swab is a medical device that does not contain any reagents and is non-toxic and harmless.

The sampling swab itself does not contain any soaking reagents, nor does it need to contain reagents.

The sampling swab is a disposable sampler and a type of medical device. Whether in terms of materials or production, processing, and inspection, the sampling swab has strict production environment requirements and quality supervision standards to ensure that it is non-toxic and harmless and can be used with confidence.

Therefore, the rumors that it "contains carcinogenic and highly toxic ethylene oxide, the radioactive element technetium, and fluorescent preparations" are wrong.

3. Will the sampling swab harm the body?

Fluorescence detection is an operation after sampling. During the sampling process, fluorescent probes will not be used at all and will not affect human health.

Some people experience nausea, vomiting and other discomfort during the sampling process. There are three reasons:

① Individual differences

The throat or nasal cavity of some people is more sensitive to sampling, so they will feel uncomfortable, nauseous and want to vomit after sampling.

②Some people have incorrect posture when sampling

When taking nucleic acid samples, you need to open your mouth wide and make an "ah" shape so that the sampler can scrape the pharyngeal tonsils and posterior pharyngeal wall on both sides.

When some people open their mouths, the soft palate closes the tongue root. To ensure the quality of the sample, the sampler will probe inside to find the posterior pharyngeal wall and tonsils. This will cause irritation, and some people will have a very strong reaction to the irritation, and experience vomiting, coughing and other discomfort. However, these discomforts will soon subside after the sampling stops.

③There are also differences in the operating methods of testers

Some nucleic acid sampling personnel are gentle and use light gestures, but some use heavy gestures, which may cause some discomfort.

[Reference source for identification]: Shanghai rumor-busting platform, CCTV News