Text Box: USE OF FERRIC CHLORIDE TO IDENTIFY SALICYLATE-CONTAINING POISONS Hoffman RJ1, Winnik G1, Nelson LS2, Hoffman RS2 1Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA. 2New York City Poison Control Center, New York, New York, USA Objective: Ferric chloride (FeCl3) is typically used to qualitatively test urine of patients with presumed salicylate exposure. FeCl3 testing might be performed on unidentified poisons or even vomitus or gastric lavage fluid. Such testing may provide laboratory confirmation of salicylate exposure in the absence of a urine sample or immediately after ingestion when urine might not yet contain a detectable quantity of salicylate. This study seeks to determine if FeCl3 can be used to identify salicylate-containing products. Methods: This is a descriptive, blinded study assessing the reactivity of FeCl3 with salicylate-containing products. 0.1 mL of 10% FeCl3 solution was applied to 15 various salicylate-containing products including: acetylsalicylic acid; bismuth subsalicylate; methylsalicylate; physostigmine salicylate; salicylic acid; trolamine salicylate, and herbal tablets with salicin-containing white willow bark (Salix sp.). These products were: regular and enteric-coated pills (n=4), powder (n=1); topical creams (n=5); topical liquids (n=4); and intravenous solution (n=1). The FeCl3 was applied to crushed tablets and added directly to liquids and creams. Five salicylate-free control liquids, five control pills, and five control creams similar in appearance to experimental samples were also tested. Three blinded physicians familiar with FeCl3 testing independently observed the addition of FeCl3 to each sample and concluded as to positive or negative result. Results: All salicylate-containing products were judged FeCl3 positive and all control samples were judged FeCl3 negative. Conclusion: Salicylate-containing products may be identified using FeCl3. When using FeCl3 testing as described herein, only a positive test result should be applied: any negative should be considered inconclusive. 2418