The claim
The federal government would have banned the Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BASG) by law from examining the Covid-19 antigen tests for possible toxic ingredients. A privately financed laboratory analysis has now shown that the tests contained extremely toxic substances that would already have an effect on the skin. Since these substances are not declared on the packaging and leaflets in Austria, there would be a risk to physical safety, especially in school areas.
Our conclusion
According to BASG and DGUV, the amounts of toxic chemicals in the buffer solution are so small that no damage can occur even if used incorrectly. However, ideally neither children nor adults should come into contact with the liquid. The BASG has not received a test ban from the federal government. The buffer solution has been tested by other authorities in the European Economic Area and evaluated as harmless.
Who doesn't know the antigen tests that have been with us constantly in recent years. With routine, the utensils almost unpack themselves and for many of us it is hardly necessary to look at the package insert. But what is actually inside? What are these few drops of liquid called buffer solution? Why are these just a few drops and not much more?
The laboratory investigation of the “We-EMUs”:
The corporate alliance “We-EMUs – To Promote Society and Well-Being” examined four of these buffer fluids in a privately financed laboratory analysis. This revealed that sodium azide and also Triton X-100 are in the buffer liquid. These fluids, it is claimed, attack, kill and decompose human cells. They are considered highly toxic.
The press conference on the topic was broadcast on RTV private television and on several social media platforms. In fact, only a single forensic doctor spoke at the conference, alongside the president of the Vienna Animal Welfare Association, a lawyer, a teacher and a journalist.
What is sodium azide and what does it do in the Covid-19 test?
Sodium azide is the sodium salt of hydronitric acid. The University of Münster states that this is a substance with high toxic effects.
“Amounts of 5 to 10 mg can paralyze the optic nerve, cause profound fainting, etc. (effect is due to blockade of the cytochrome oxidase system). Very toxic to aquatic organisms can have long-term harmful effects in water bodies.
University of Münster – Sodium Azide (PDF)
In the Covid-19 antigen tests, this chemical acts as a preservative. It prevents the buffer solution from being contaminated by microorganisms or viruses before use.
Each buffer tube contains 0.1 mg to a maximum of 0.35 mg sodium azide.
What is Triton X-100?
It is a non-ionic surfactant from the group of octylphenol ethoxylates.
It can cause severe eye irritation and allergic skin reactions and therefore eye and face protection and gloves should be worn when handling the chemical.
In the Covid-19 antigen tests, this chemical acts as a solvent that can release the nuclear envelope protein from any virus particles that may be present. Each tube contains a total of approximately 350 μl (0.35 ml) of liquid. Of this total liquid, a maximum of 1.5% Triton X-100 should be present.
Here is the exact information from the studies on the amount of chemicals in the Covid-19 antigen tests
In February 2022, the German Statutory Accident Insurance Association (DGUV) will issue a four-page statement on the topic: “Ingredients of Corona (SARS-CoV-2) antigen rapid tests”.
Here it says in relation to sodium azide in the tests:
“For example, according to the manufacturer’s information, the extraction buffer of an antigen test contains 0.1% sodium azide (this corresponds to 1 mg/ml). The test kit comes with extraction buffer tubes prefilled with 350 µL (0.35 mL) of buffer each, ready for immediate use. Each extraction buffer tube contains 0.35 mg sodium azide . This is a very small amount if you compare it, for example, with a previously described therapeutic use of 0.65 - 3.9 mg, in which no damage to health occurred (for more detailed information see MAK justification paper 20031). However, the instructions for use from different manufacturers often indicate concentrations of sodium azide as “ less than 0.1 mg/ml ”. “There are therefore very low concentrations of sodium azide in these SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests.”
DGUV – Ingredients of Corona (SARS-CoV-2) rapid antigen tests (PDF)
Here it says in relation to Triton-X-100 in the tests:
“However, the concentration of these substances in the buffer solution of the corona antigen tests is very low. According to the manufacturer, the buffer of a product contains the detergent Triton-X-100 in a concentration of 1.5% . The buffer solution is mainly supplied in the test kit in pre-filled and sealed tubes that are ready for use. The liquid volume is very small and is approximately 350 μl (0.35 ml) per tube. If the test is used according to the instructions for use, contact with the buffer solution is extremely unlikely. However, due to the very low concentration of detergent in the buffer solution, there is no health risk even if the buffer is used improperly or accidentally comes into contact with the skin.”
DGUV – Ingredients of Corona (SARS-CoV-2) rapid antigen tests (PDF)
So it turns out that both toxic agents are found in the Covid-19 antigen tests in such small quantities that they cannot be harmful to health even if they are used improperly. Of course, children should only perform the tests under supervision and ideally no one should have contact with the buffer fluid.
Why are chemical substances needed in Covid-19 antigen tests?
The press office of the BASG (Federal Office for Safety in Health Care) argues as follows:
“All corona rapid tests available on the market contain chemical substances. Such a test would not be possible otherwise: they are necessary to get a reliable result. The task of a substance can be: It cracks the pathogen's shell to get to a special viral protein. This ensures that the test shows a positive test result in the event of an infection. The substance is also intended to kill any viruses that may be contained in the samples and ensure that the swab solution is non-infectious.”
Why are these substances not clearly labeled?
The BASG states that this is not legally necessary due to the low concentration.
Who examined the tests?
The accusation that the BASG did not examine the tests is actually true. However, according to BASG, the buffer solution of all tests was examined by another EEA (European Economic Area) authority and no legal deviations were found within the scope of the special approval. The tests were therefore granted temporary special approval.
Conclusion
According to BASG and DGUV (German Social Accident Insurance), the amounts of toxic chemicals in the buffer solution are so small that no damage can occur even if used incorrectly. However, ideally neither children nor adults should come into contact with the liquid.
The BASG has not received a test ban from the federal government. The buffer solution has been tested by other authorities in the European Economic Area and evaluated as harmless.
Update October 13, 2022
Due to several inquiries about this topic, we asked the BASG again. Here are our questions and the respective answers from BASG press management:
Author: Elke Haberl, Mimikama
Source:
University of Münster - Sodium azide (PDF) , DGUV - Ingredients of Corona (SARS-CoV-2) rapid antigen tests (PDF)
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