OxyCide, a commonly used hospital disinfectant manufactured by Ecolab, has been linked to an increased risk of side effects among the housekeepers, janitors, healthcare workers, and others who were exposed to the cleaning agent. While the disinfectant was manufactured to keep patients safe from dangerous hospital-acquired illnesses, studies have found that the cleaner may be the cause of making those exposed to it sick.  

When asked about the side effects of OxyCide, one healthcare worker stated, "it burns my eyes, it makes them water. It burns my throat. The best way to describe it is it’s like working with onions. You have no relief unless you take a break and go someplace that’s well ventilated so you can get some air.”

Symptoms associated with OxyCide

As researchers began investigating the side effects associated with OxyCide, several symptoms were found to be common among those who were exposed to OxyCide. The side effects include:

• Breathing problems  
• Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
• Chest tightness
• Asthma, wheezing, coughing
• Throat irritation, including burning sensations and sore throat
• Voice loss, including Vocal cord stridor (noise when inhaling and/or exhaling) and Vocal cord dysfunction  
• Nasal irritation, including runny nose, bloody nose
• Headaches and dizziness
• Memory Loss
• Skin problems (cracked skin, lip irritation, and rashes)
• Ocular irritation, including burning or stinging in the eyes, and watery eyes
• Upset stomach, including nausea

Long term exposure to OxyCide has also been linked to even more severe side effects such as damage to the liver and kidneys. It can even cause pulmonary edema and blood circulation problems.

Ecolab is Accused of Hiding OxyCide’s Health Risks

As a result of these findings, lawsuits have been filed against Ecolab, on behalf of those who have been harmed by the toxic chemical, alleging that Ecolab was aware of the health risks associated with OxyCide but failed to properly warn against the risks of its use. Gretchen Eadson, a hospital housekeeper who was one of the first to bring allegations against Ecolab commented that “Ecolab willfully or negligently declined to investigate and disclose the serious health risk to healthcare professionals and the general public, disregarded well-founded complaints and chose to continue to risk the health of the public despite the availability of less-harmful cleaning agents.”

The plaintiff claims she experienced nose bleeds and severe coughing after the first time she used Ecolab’s OxyCide products to disinfect hospital floors and sinks in 2017. After her symptoms lasted for a couple of months, she was advised by a medical specialist to stop working with OxyCide. She then, according to the suit, found out her hospital coworkers suffered similar symptoms connected to OxyCide, even though she and her colleagues followed OxyCide’s use and safety instructions while using the product.

What is OxyCide?

According to EcoLab, OxyCide Daily Disinfectant Cleaner is a one-step disinfectant for use in hospitals that is effective against Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) spores, Candida Auris and a broad spectrum of other organisms. Its non-bleach formula is compatible with a wide range of materials and helps standardize and simplify the cleaning process for improved operational efficiency. Used to clean and disinfect a range of surfaces and materials, the cleaning agent is commonly used in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.  

Have you been exposed to OxyCide?

If you or a loved one have been exposed to OxyCide and have suffered any negative side effects, you may be entitled to substantial compensation without ever going to court.  To see if you are eligible and to learn what legal options you have, fill out our free case review. A legal representative will contact you to obtain further information. We only get paid if you do!