FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT POISONING
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FACTS TO KNOW ABOUTPOISONING
Topics
DefinitionsAccidental PoisoningsStatistical DataPoison PreventionTreatment of poisoningsSymptomsCategories of poisoning
Definitions of a Poison1. A substance that when introduced into or
absorbed by a living organism may destroylife or injure health.(www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn)
2. “All substances are poisons; there is nonethat is not a poison. The right dosedifferentiates the poison from a remedy”(Paracelsus)
Accidental Poisoning
Any poisoning considered to haveoccurred by accident (unintentionally)
Accidental Poisoning was added to thelist of Class 1 notifiable diseases inJamaica, 1997. Therefore it is importantto documents its epidemiologicaldescription on a national level. (MOH)
Poison Centers….Making acase Acute poisoning is a common medical
emergency. Events are under-reported in the Caribbean. Poison Centers facilitate documentation,
generation of reports and institution of poisonprevention measures.
When data from parts of the Caribbean wascompared with data from USA, the agepattern for poison cases was similar.(Bushay, October 30th 2005)
Statistical Data
USA est. 5M cases p.a. ,51.6%< 6 y oCanada > 200,000 reported cases p.a.,
>50% involve children < 5 y oWHO 50% of cases of pesticide
poisonings occur in developingcountries ( use is only 15% of worlddemand)..Brown-Myrie 2004
Statistical Data
Epidemiological Evidence cont’dBarbados > 50% of documented cases
<5y oSurinam est. 82% of documented
cases, < 5 y oTrinidad & Tobago >23% of
documented cases < 5 y o
Statistical DataEpidemiological Evidence cont’d Jamaica 80 % of cases <5 y o (2004),
85% of cases < 5 y o (2005 Jan.-Sept.)Causative agents(2004) Bleach 50%, Kerosene 13%, Pesticide
13%,Pharmaceuticals 12%…MOHSurveillance Unit
Potential Hazards in the Home
Poison Prevention in theHome and its Environs
POISONOUSSUBSTANCES COSMETICS MEDICATIONS CLEANING AGENTS
LOCATION BEDROOM, BATHROOM, MOTOR VEHICLE KITCHEN BATHROOM LIVING ROOM
Poison Prevention in theHome and its Environs Cont… PESTICIDE PETROLEUM
PRODUCTS, CLEANING AGENTS PAINT PRODUCTS HERBICIDES RODENTICIDES PLANTS
GARAGE KITCHEN LAUNDRY ROOM YARD FLOWER POTS THE FIELD
FACT SHEET- BASIC INFORMATION
ABOUT POISONS AND POISONINGS
What is a poison?One definition of a poison is:
‘a substance that when introduced intoor absorbed by a living organism maydestroy life or injure health.
FACT SHEET- Cont…
About PoisonsThere are various household substances thatare poisonous. These include:
Cleaning and washing products such asbleach, which can be harmful in smallamounts.
Medicines, which may be safe at therecommended dose, but poisonous if taken inoverdoses.
About Poisons- Cont…Other household chemicals, such as plant
food, paints, solvents, firelighters, etc.
Some toiletries such as hair dyes and otherhair treatments
Petrol and kerosene
Some foods and plants
About Poisons- ContChildren are the main victims of poison
incidents in Jamaica and many othercountries.
Most of the accidental cases ofpoisonings in children occur in thehome. In 2004, eighty- five (85%) of thereported cases of poisonings in Jamaicawere children while in the United States,children accounted for seventy- onepercent (71%).
About Poisons- Cont
More than fifty percent (50%) of thedocumented cases in Barbados werechildren less than five years old while inEast Surinam it was eighty-two percent(82%).
What can happen ifsomeone gets poisoned?
In some cases the effects are minimaland no medical follow-up may berequired. However in many poisoningsituations major effects and even deathwill occur.
Some of these major effects includeliver failure, kidney failure, respiratoryfailure, etc.
Bleach is the most common substancein Jamaica
Pharmaceuticals e.g. analgesics,psychoactive drugs, benzodiazepines
Pesticides and herbicides.
What are common agents/ products causingpoisonings?
(IN Jamaica and other Caribbean Countries)
What are common agents/ products causingpoisonings? Cont…
Other solvents e.g. thinner and acetone
Others including: personal care products, car/engine products, adhesives, sulphur,recreational drugs, lead, battery acid, flowerseeds and organic phosphate.
Food poisonings e.g. ciguatera toxin
NB: The agents are listed in order of most common too least
POISON PREVENTION
Increasing public awareness and education
Ensure safety latches and drawers are placedon cupboards where potential poisons maybe stored.
Store all medicine and household chemicalsin their original containers with proper labels.
When possible buy products in child-resistantpackaging.
Never refer to a drug as candy to children.
Never store dangerous products in everydaycontainers such as milk bottles, soda bottlesor drinking glasses.
Check the garden for poisonous plants orberries and remove them.
Teach children to always ask before eating ordrinking anything.
POISON PREVENTIONContd
Symptoms of Poisoning
Different poisons affect the bodydifferently: they can take effect quickly.The range of symptoms is very broad.
If someone becomes very ill without anapparent reason, poisoning should beconsidered and a possible cause.
Symptoms of Poisoning Cont…
Abdominal painVomitingDiarrheaNauseaDizziness
Loss of appetiteHeadache or
irritabilityPain on swallowing
or production ofmore saliva thatusual
Common symptoms of poisonings caninclude:
Symptoms of Poisoning Cont…
Skin rashBurns around the
nose or mouthDouble or blurred
vision
WeaknessDrowsinessSeizures (fits)Unconsciousness
What to do if someone is poisoned
Remember poisoning can be life-threatening.The following are some measures you cantake in the event that poisoning occurs:
If you suspect someone has swallowed apoisonous substance, try to identify thesubstance so as to help the medical staff giveappropriate treatment quickly.
Immediately go to the nearest medical facility
What do I do if someone is poisoned?Cont…
Be prepared to supply the followinginformation:
1. The name of the substance swallowed; ifpossible, keep the container and a note ofhow much has been consumed.
2. The person’s age and estimated weight.3. The estimated time that the poison was
swallowed4.Whether or not the person has vomited5. Whether the person suffers from any chronic
illness.
What do I do if someone is poisoned?Cont…
If you suspect that someone has inhaledpoisonous fumes, you need to first assess thesituation and your risk, then you can followthese guidelines:
1. If possible, remove the person from thecontaminated area.
2. Avoid inhaling fumes yourself by taking deepbreaths before entering the area and holdingyour breath until you are clear of the area.
What do I do if someone is poisoned?Cont…
3. Once out of the area of exposure, check tosee if the person’s airway is clear and ifhe/she is breathing.
4. Call for assistance and immediately take theperson to the nearest medical facility.
CATEGORIES OF POISONS MEDICINE POISONS ANALGESIC/ANTIPYR
ETICS (ASPIRIN ANDPARACETAMOL)
PSYCHOTROPICAGENTS (SEDATIVES,HYPNOTICS,ANTIDEPRESSANTS,NARCOTICS)
OTHERS (DIGOXIN,LITHIUM,THEOPHYLLINE,IRON,AMINOGLYCOSIDES)
CATEGORIES OF POISONS Cont…AGRICULTURAL
POISONS
PESTICIDES(MALATHION,DEILDRIN)
HERBICIDE(PARAQUAT)
CATEGORIES OF POISONS Cont…ENVIRONMENTAL/INDUSTRIALPOISONS TOXIC GASES CORROSIVES METALLIC POISONS OTHERS (LEAD
TETRAETHYL,ASBESTOS)
CATEGORIES OF POISONS Cont…HOUSEHOLD POISONS PETROLEUM
DISTILLATE(KEROSENE)
NAPHTHALENE(MOTH BALLS)
BLEACH INSECTICIDES RODENTICIDES DISINFECTANTS TOXIC ALCOHOLS
CATEGORIES OF POISONS Cont…
NATURAL POISONS Animals (scorpions,
snake, fish, rats) Plants (mushrooms,
unripe ackee, bittercassava, poison ivy,periwinkle)
Microbials (Salmonella,Clostridium, E. coli,Leptospira)
PHYSICAL FORMS OFPOISONSSOLIDMEDICINE
PLANTS
POWDERS (LIKE LAUNDRY SOAP)
GRANULAR (PESTICIDES ANDFERTILIZERS)
PHYSICAL FORMS OFPOISONS Cont…LIQUIDLIQUID LAUNDRY SOAP
FURNITURE POLISH
LIGHTER FLUID
LOTION
PHYSICAL FORMS OFPOISONS Cont…SPRAYSINSECTICIDES
SPRAY PAINTS
SOME CLEANING PRODUCTS
PHYSICAL FORMS OFPOISONS Cont…“INVISIBLE”DUST
SMOKE
MIST
GASES OR VAPORS
(CARBON MONOXIDE
Poisonous Chemicals
1. Bleach2. Kerosene3. Pesticides4. Pharmaceuticals5. Cleaning Agents6. Cosmetics7. Petroleum Based Products
POISON PREVENTION TIPS TOKEEP CHILDREN SAFE
Children under six years old are at thegreatest risk for accidental poisoning.They are curious by nature and investigatetheir world by putting many things in theirmouths.
Children are drawn to the attractivepackaging, good smell and colorfulsubstances of most products found in thehome.
POISON PREVENTION TIPS TOKEEP CHILDREN SAFE Cont…
Household and Chemical ProductsUse safety locks on all cabinets,
cupboards, and containers.
Store all potential poisonous householdand chemical products out of sight andreach of children.
Store all products in their original, labeledcontainers.
POISON PREVENTION TIPS TOKEEP CHILDREN SAFE Cont…Household and Chemical Products Food containers such as cups, baby’s bottle,
soda bottles, water and milk jugs should not beused to store household cleaners and chemicalproducts.
Store food and household and chemical productsin separate areas. Many poisonous products‘look-a-like’ and come in containers similar todrinks or food.
Use extra caution during mealtimes and when thefamily routine is disrupted. Many poisonings takeplace at this time.
POISON PREVENTION TIPS TOKEEP CHILDREN SAFE Cont…
Household and Chemical ProductsPesticides can be absorbed through the
skin and can be extremely toxic. Keepchildren away from areas recentlysprayed.
Special care should be taken whenpoisons for ants, mice and rats are usedaround the home.
Take time to teach children about poisonoussubstances
POISON PREVENTION TIPS TOKEEP CHILDREN SAFE Cont…
Medicines Keep medicine out of sight, locked up and out of
reach of children
DON’T call medicines candy. Some medicinesand candy look-a-like and children cannot tell thedifference.
Vitamins are to be regarded as medicines.Vitamins with iron can be especially poisonous.
Be aware of medicines visitors may bring into thehome.
POISON PREVENTION TIPS TOKEEP CHILDREN SAFE Cont…
PLANTS Know the name of the plants in your home and its
surroundings. Label all of your plants. Your localplant nursery can assist with identification.
Keep poisonous plants out of reach of children andpets.
Teach children not to put leaves and berries growingin the yard in their mouths.
Keep children and pets away from plants that haverecently been sprayed with weed killer, bug killer andfertilizer.
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