U.S. poison centers save the nation an estimated $3.1 billion each year in medical costs and lost productivity, according to a new independent study released by America’s Poison Centers.
The report, conducted by the nonprofit research organization RAND, found that poison centers deliver significant economic and public health benefits by reducing emergency room visits, shortening hospital stays and lowering mortality risks. The study concluded that for every dollar invested in poison center services, communities receive $16.77 in benefits.
The New Jersey Poison Control Center, part of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and formally known as the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System, handles more than 54,000 cases annually and provides free, confidential medical guidance to residents and health care professionals around the clock.
Despite increasing demand for poison center services, overall funding for poison centers nationwide declined by 8% in real dollars between 2011 and 2024, the report found. Reduced funding and subsidies could threaten the ability of poison centers to maintain 24/7 operations amid rising health care costs.
The study also noted that poison centers have modernized in recent years, expanding services beyond traditional phone calls to include text messaging and live chat options to better serve the public and health care providers.
“Behind these findings are real people we’ve helped – from small scares to serious emergencies,” said Diane Calello, executive and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center. “Each call reflects our essential role in protecting residents and guiding them through evidence-based care.”
“Poison Centers serve as a trusted source of fast, expert medical guidance for everyone — adults, children and medical professionals,” Calello continued. “Callers could be a worried father whose toddler ingested cannabis edibles, an adult who believes they took too much acetaminophen for flu-like symptoms, a teacher who is concerned about a student who ate a berry from a park tree or a triage nurse who is unsure if a young child who swallowed a magnet needs emergency care.”
The New Jersey Poison Control Center reported responding to 54,442 cases in 2025, up from 51,456 in 2024, reflecting growing reliance on poison center services as public health needs increase.
“Every day, lives are protected because expert help is only a call away,” Calello said. “For New Jerseyans, our poison control center is more than a hotline – it’s a lifeline. Our toxicology specialists prevent unnecessary ER visits, reduce health care costs and provide lifesaving guidance around the clock. Our impact is felt in every community, ensuring timely, expert care that keeps people safe and supports the broader health care system. We remain committed to ensuring every person in New Jersey can access expert medical help, anytime, anywhere.”
For more than 40 years, the New Jersey Poison Control Center has served as the state’s primary resource for poisoning prevention and response, providing medical consultation 24 hours a day through phone, text and live chat services.
The center’s team of physicians, nurses and pharmacists assists with a wide range of exposure cases and information requests, including opioid misuse, fentanyl exposure, edible marijuana ingestion by children, suicide attempts among adolescents and other complex toxicology emergencies. The center also supports statewide disaster preparedness, overdose prevention, public health surveillance and operates several specialized hotlines for the New Jersey Department of Health.
Residents seeking immediate assistance for a potential poisoning can contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222, visit PoisonHelp.org or access services through NJPoisonCenter.org.
