Audrain County Health Department Provides Information on Accidental Exposure to Fentanyl and Risk to the Public

The following is a press release from the Audrain County Health Department.

The following information is being provided by Audrain County Health Department (ACHD) to clarify and inform area residents regarding potential accidental exposure to fentanyl.

“The recent article that was published titled Accidental Fentanyl Overdose of Business Employee Leads to New ACHD Program has generated a great deal of attention and questions surrounding fentanyl and the risk of public exposure,” states Craig Brace, ACHD Adminsistrator.

“The story was not intended to cause the public to panic but to elevate awareness about the risk of accidental exposure and the potential saving merits of Narcan.”

The event in the recent article took place during the summer of 2024.

ACHD started providing Narcan to the public in April of 2023. After being made aware of the event, ACHD started distributing Narcan to each business or organization with a public restroom in Audrain County.

“ACHD continues to help battle the growing drug problem in Audrain County” says Brace. “Audrain County Coalition on Reducing Drugs (ACCORD), a group of community leaders and governmental entities, launched in September of 2024 with the mission of reducting the use of opioids and other harmful substances in Audrain County.”

Fentanyl is an opioid medicine the has medical uses for pain control in both humans and animals.

Fentanyl is also produced and sold illegally.

If misused, fentanyl can cause a person’s breathing to slow and stop; this is often called an “overdose.”

If breathing stops, a person can die.

“However, it is unlikely you will overdose just from being around or helping someone who has smoked or used fentanyl.” says Brace.

There is very low risk of individuals experiencing an overdose from secondhand fentanyl exposure.

Accidental “secondhand” exposure to fentanyl smoke, powder, or residue in public settings is extremely unlikely to cause overdose.

If you come across someone who might be experiencing an overdose, it is safe to help them.

In many cases, Narcan is used as a first response.

Can you overdose by just touching fentanyl?

You can’t overdose just by touching fentanyl.

In fact, there are no confirmed cases of overdose from touching fentanyl powder or pills. While fentanyl can be absorbed across the skin, this happens only with constant direct contact over hours and days.

Still, you should avoid touching fentanyl.

Skin absorption can be increased by using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, bleach, and excessive sweating.

Skin absorption can also be affected in unknown ways if other drugs are present.

If you think you might have touched fentanyl, wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible.

Avoid touching your face, especially your eyes, nose, or mouth. Young children should be supervised closely because they are more likely to put their hands and things in their mouths.

Children are also more sensitive to adverse effects from exposure to fentanyl pills, powder, or liquid left on surfaces.

What happens when you breath in fentanyl powder?

Current research shows that fentanyl uses in public places, such as public restrooms, does not produce enough contamination on surfaces to cause other individuals to overdose.

However, adverse effects may result in individuals with other underlining health conditions or interaction with other medications.

If you see powder or a crushed pill on a nearby surface, do not touch it or attempt to remove it.

Do not open windows or do anything that might cause powder to get into the air.

If you see fentanyl powder on your clothes, use a non-alcoholic wet wipe to remove it or west the area of the garment before removing it and laundering.

What should be done if you see fentanyl or another drug in a public place?

If you see powder or other material that you believe are drugs, do not handle or take possession of the materials or clean up the area yourself. Call the non-emergency number for the police department in your area or report the situation to the facility manager.

Individuals can contact the Audrain County Health Department to receive a free Narcan kit. Please call 573-581-1332 to learn more.