The Palmetto Poison Center is staffed by health care professionals, including pharmacists and nurses, who are formally trained in toxicology as specialists in poison information. We provide free advice and education to South Carolina residents about exposure to poisonous and toxic materials.
For media inquiries: Please contact Christina DeRienzo at derienzo@poison.sc.edu or 803-394-7279
News Archive
Here's how you can safely eat a cicada, according to South Carolina experts
WLTX News 19 (Columbia, SC) - May 6, 2024
Yes, eating an old baked potato could cause serious illness
WLTX News 19 (Columbia, SC) - November 9, 2023
Halloween safety:Take the fright out of Halloween night!
The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, SC) - October 27, 2023
Snake bites up in South Carolina
WLTX News 19 (Columbia, SC) - October 26, 2023
‘It’s intentionally made to look for kids’: Doctors warn about dangers of ingesting
edibles
WMBF News (Myrtle Beach, SC) - July 20, 2023
Experts give advice on dealing with snakes as bites are up in South Carolina in 2023
WBTW News 13 (Myrtle Beach, SC) - July 17, 2023
Too much water can cause medical issues
WLTX News 19 (Columbia, SC) - July 14, 2023
Palmetto Poison Center discusses food safety
Fox Carolina (Greenville, SC) - June 29, 2023
Here’s what to do if a copperhead bites you in SC and you don’t have cell phone service
The State (Columbia, SC) - June 20, 2023
EDITORIAL: Poisoning is more prevalent and deadly
The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, SC) - March 23, 2023
March 19-25 is National Poison Prevention Week
The Lancaster News (Lancaster, SC) - March 21, 2023
Palmetto Poison Center Urges Safety Precautions
The Daniel Island News (Charleston, SC) - March 20, 2023
National Poison Prevention Week to be observed beginning March 19
WPDE ABC News 15 (Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC) - March 17, 2023
Potential dangers of children swallowing water beads
WRDW-TV (Augusta, GA) - February 9, 2023
Eight students sickened by gummy edibles at Richland One school
WLTX News 19 (Columbia, SC) - February 1, 2023
Thanksgiving Safety: Don’t Let Food Poisoning Gobble Up Your Good Time!
The Dillon Herald (Dillon, SC) - November 17, 2022
Palmetto Poison Center Halloween safety tips for kids
Fox Carolina (Greenville, SC) - October 31, 2022
EDITORIAL: Poisoning is more prevalent and deadly
The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, SC) - March 24, 2022
SC leaders warn parents of unintentional poisonings through household items
WMBF News (Myrtle Beach, SC) - March 21, 2022
Protect your household from CO
The Newberry Observer (Newberry, SC) - February 8, 2022
Don't let food poisoning gobble up your good time
The Newberry Observer (Newberry, SC) - November 25, 2021
Halloween safety tips
The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, SC) - October 29, 2021
SC poison control sees uptick in calls about controversial anti-parasitic ivermectin
The State (Columbia, SC) - September 22, 2021
SC doctor warns about misinformation on unproven COVID-19 treatment
FOX Carolina News (Greenville) - August 31, 2021
Hilton Head woman was bitten 3 times by copperhead snake. What she did to survive
The Herald (Rock Hill) - May 11, 2021
EDITORIAL: Poisoning is more prevalent and deadly
The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg) - March 25, 2021
SC residents invited to observe National Poison Prevention Week
ABC 4 News (Columbia) - March 21, 2021
Local experts urge parents to watch for choking hazards on Christmas
WSPA News 7 (Spartanburg) - December 22, 2020
State poison control experts warn of holiday dangers
Live 5 WCSC (Charleston) - December 21, 2020
Serving up Thanksgiving food safety tips; turkey thawing, cooking recommendations
WBTW News 13 (Horry County) - November 25, 2020
Palmetto Poison Center discusses staying safe this Thanksgiving
ABC News 4 (Columbia) - November 23, 2020
Poison Control Center Receives Continued Accreditation
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy - November 16, 2020
Fluffy caterpillar one of the most venomous in the United States
WTOC 11 (Savannah) - October 21, 2020
SC poison center sees increase in calls about children ingesting hand sanitizer amid
pandemic
WSPA News 7 (Spartanburg) - August 20, 2020
Palmetto Poison Center Director Receives National Board Appointment
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy - July 9, 2020
Palmetto Poison Center Hosts Facebook Live Events for Safety Education
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy - June 2, 2020
Grand Strand Medical doctor, Palmetto Poison Center report snake bite increase
WBTW News 13 (Florence) - May 13, 2020
Palmetto Poison Center seeing shift in calls
WBTW News 13 (Florence) - April 30, 2020
Poison control center: don't use disinfectants on your body
Fox Carolina (Greenville) - April 24, 2020
Increase in disinfectant calls at Roper St. Francis and across the state
ABC News 4 (Charleston) - April 22, 2020
Face-To-Face: Palmetto Poison Center program impacts lives by teaching medication
safety
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy - January 10, 2020
Palmetto Poison Center USC offers holiday safety tips
WLTX News 19 (Columbia) - December 11, 2019
No one is thankful for fires or food poisoning. How to avoid the ER this Thanksgiving
Myrtle Beach Online (Myrtle Beach) - November 26, 2019
VIDEO: How to keep hidden hazards from impacting your Turkey Day feast
ABC Columbia (Columbia) - November 25, 2019
The Snake Chaser: Drought, development are causes of the record number of snake bites
this year
WBTW News 13 (Florence) - November 4, 2019
Midlands homeowner ready for Halloween after seeing more than 2,000 trick-or-treaters
in 2018
WIS News 10 (Columbia) - October 31, 2019
Halloween safety tips from Palmetto Poison Center
WLTX News 19 (Columbia) - October 30, 2019
Snake bites at record pace in SC, but, no, they’re not drought thirsty
The Post and Courier (Charleston) - October 17, 2019
Number of snake bite reports skyrocket in South Carolina
WCSC-TV (Myrtle Beach) - October 9, 2019
Copperhead strikes: Holly Hill man recovering after two bites
The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg) - June 19, 2019
Palmetto Poison Center receives largest project funding award in its history
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy - March 27, 2019
Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning during power outage
The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg) - January 13, 2019
2018
Generator use during power outage could increase carbon monoxide poisoning risk
WCSC-TV (Myrtle Beach) - September 11, 2018
The teen was mowing the lawn when snakes attacked — and started biting
The State (Columbia) - July 15, 2018
A family going for a swim grabs a pool noodle. Rattlesnakes were living inside, fire
dept. says
The State (Columbia) - June 24, 2018
Bad year for snake bites in SC? What you need to know before peak snake season
The Island Packet (Beaufort) - June 20, 2018
South Carolina’s poison center steps in as snake bites hit near-record pace
The Post and Courier (Charleston) - June 16, 2018
It's an Active Snake Season in South Carolina
WLTX News 19 (Columbia) - May 22, 2018
33 snakebites this year in South Carolina, and keep an eye out at the beach, too
Greenville News Online (Greenville) - May 15, 2018
Watch your step, Lowcountry! 4 things to know if you encounter a venomous snake
The Island Packet (Beaufort) - May 4, 2018
Too much caffeine killed him; now energy drink sales to SC teens could be banned
The State (Columbia) - April 9, 2018
VERIFY: Is Boiling Fabuloso on the Stove Hazardous to Your Health
WLTX News 19 (Columbia) - March 21, 2018
Poison Center is There 24/7 When Accidents Happen
South Carolina Public Radio (Columbia) - March 12, 2018
Yes, people really are eating Tide Pods in SC
The State (Columbia) - January 29, 2018
2017
Warming up cars in a garage could be fatal; Midlands family now using tragedy to teach
WACH Fox 57 (Columbia) - December 13, 2017
Turkey tips: avoid food poisoning this Thanksgiving
ABC Columbia (Columbia) - November 21, 2017
South Carolina venomous snakes biting at record pace
The Post and Courier (Charleston) - May 20, 2017
Watch your step, Lowcountry! Here’s 4 things you need to know about venomous snake
bites
The Island Packet (Beaufort) - May 20, 2017
South Carolina snake bites up 30 percent in 2017
ABC News 4 (Charleston) - May 3, 2017
2016
Palmetto Poison Center staff tapped for national leadership roles
University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy - September 22, 2016
Myrtle Beach area pets are sniffing up snakes
Myrtle Beach Online - July 18, 2016
What To Do if You've Eaten Recalled Food
WLTX News 19 (Columbia) - June 8, 2016
2014
Herpetologist bitten by a rattlesnake and taipan says snakes get bad rap
The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg) - November 2, 2014
2012
DNR: 60% of snake bites are alcohol-related
WIS News 10 (Columbia) - July 6, 2012
2011
5 Surprising Halloween Health Hazards
LiveScience - October 28, 2011
Press Releases
| 03/17/2023 | Palmetto Poison Center Observes National Poison Prevention Week [pdf] |