Claim: Lateral flow tests could cause cancer or damage DNA because the swabs used to collect a sample from the user are sterilised with ethylene oxide.
Fact-check: Viral video spreads misinformation about ethylene oxide and Ivermectin - Full Fact
Verdict: overexposure to ethylene oxide itself can cause health problems such as cancer, but there is no suggestion that using something that has been sterilised by ethylene oxide is harmful. it is routinely used to sterilise medical equipment.
Organisation: Full Fact
Author: Sarah Turnnidge
Date published: 2021-05-12T00:00:00