FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT POISONING-edited - Caribbean Poison...

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.


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.


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.


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


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.


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.

FACTS TO KNOW ABOUT POISONING-edited - Caribbean Poison...

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