Miami.- On the afternoon of Saturday, February 15, three members of a family arrived at the Andrés Ortiz Polyclinic, in the Havana municipality of Guanabacoa, with symptoms of severe poisoning. Unfortunately, two of them, Doraima García Moroña (25 years old) and his daughter Nashlyn Salet Hernández García (5 years), died shortly after their income due to the severity of poisoning.
The information It was released by public health and disseminated in official profiles.
According to the testimony of the third family member, poisoning would have been caused by the use of nitro salt In food preparation, mistakenly believing that it was common salt. This product was acquired on Compostela Street, in Havana Vieja, and its origin is under investigation. Two other family members are receiving medical attention in hospitals in the capital.
What is Nitro’s salt and why is it dangerous?
Nitro salt, also known as potassium nitrate or sodium nitrite, is a chemical compound used in the conservation of meats and sausages. At first glance, Nitro salt is very similar to common salt.
Its intake in high quantities can be toxic to the human being, since it interferes with the transport of oxygen in the blood, causing symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, seizures, or in extreme cases, death.
To be deadly, it should be consumed in a very high amount. For example, for a person not to gravitate as the product must consume at least 30 grams (two tablespoons) of nitro salt in a single meal, the site indicates Salroche. This is unlikely because salt is used in small quantities.
Although official sources have not detailed about the product status, the fatal outcome could be related to salt or other cause.
The lack of basic supplies puts at risk of Cuban families who must go to the informal market without guarantees what they buy or in what state. However, given this tragic event, the population is recommended to take extreme precautions when acquiring food products.
