the poison control center particularly in demand during the holidays

The Paris poison control center continues its mission during the holidays. The period is particularly busy for caregivers, who face numerous poisonings of various origins.

Vacation time hasn't arrived for everyone. At the Paris poison control center, located in the 10th arrondissement, requests are increasing at the end of 2024.

Maryse Belson, a nurse at the center, responds to numerous calls every day. The holiday season is conducive to poisoning, particularly for younger children, whose entourage must be extra vigilant.

Medicines, cleaning products, toys…

“It could be children who are on vacation with their grandparents,” explains Maryse, who takes the example of “the grandfather’s medicine which will be lying around on a table” and which risks being swallowed.

Maryse also mentions the ingestion of cleaning products, such as “dishwashing liquid”, as one of the main reasons for poisoning affecting children. “It could be any type of thing,” the nurse continues.

It also warns about “batteries”, present in certain games offered at Christmas to little ones, and which can cause “accidents”.

The PTC worries the authorities

In recent months, health authorities have become concerned about the sharp increase in a particular case of poisoning: PTC (Pet your skull). These synthetic cannabinoids are consumed by an increasing number of adolescents.

“It has been increasing sharply over the past 2 years, with many serious cases,” laments Jérôme Langrand, head of the poison control center.

This one mentions in particular “convulsions after having vaped this type of product, often around middle or high school”