Ohio first responders told OxiClean will clean up Fentanyl spills

A well-known household product figures prominently in new instructions given to Ohio's first responders on ways to avoid contact with the powerful and sometimes deadly opiate Fentanyl.

August 17, 2017

COLUMBUS, Ohio -

A well-known household product figures prominently in new instructions given to Ohio's first responders on ways to avoid contact with the powerful and sometimes deadly opiate Fentanyl.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced on Thursday that the Bureau of Criminal Investigation sent a bulletin to more than 900 Ohio law enforcement agencies explaining cleanup instructions, including supplies needed and proper protective gear that should be worn.

Included in those instructions is the use of OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover™, a household cleaning product.

Bowling Green State University President Mary Ellen Mazey says that researchers have determined that OxiClean ™ has proven scientifically to be effective in cleaning up fentanyl spills.

Scientists with the Ohio Attorney General's Center for the Future of Forensic Science and the Chemistry Department at Bowling Green State University say they proved the effectiveness of OxiClean through experimentation and instrumental analysis.

The product contains sodium percarbonate, a chemical which, in previous research, had been shown to oxidize and break down fentanyl.

Police officers, EMT's and other first responders have become more aware of the risks of coming in contact with Fentanyl, especially since an East Liverpool Police officer came in contact with Fentanyl and had to be revived with the opiate overdose reversal drug Narcan.

Fentanyl is fifty to 100 times more powerful than heroin.

"We plan on publishing our research findings, but we wanted to get the word out about our scientific research as quickly as possible to help those who have to clean up this very dangerous substance," said Dr. Jon Sprague, Director of The Center for the Future of Forensic Science.

First responders with any questions regarding the instructions should call BCI at 855-BCI-OHIO