COMMON HOUSEHOLD

POISONS
Everyday Uses for Toxic Substances
There are many Toxins can be found
products that we use in cleaning supplies,
everyday that contain hygiene and cosmetic
substances that are products and also in
toxic. These foods.
substances can Poisoning due to
cause severe damage household
to the human body, substances is usually
but they are still mild.
widely marketed.
 TOXIC SUBSTANCES
Prompt recognition & early treatment is
important.
Implementation of preventive measures is
essential.
Drugs and household cleaners are the
most reported cases of poisoning.
Easy availability of household product
makes them one of the leading causes of
poisoning.
 Household Cleaners

Product warning label indicates level of toxicity

No label = LD50 > 5 g/kg
Caution = 0.5 5 g/kg
Warning = 50 500 mg/kg
Danger: Poison = <50 mg/kg
 VICTIMS

Usually under the age of five,

majority were toddlers between
the age of 1-3 years.
These incidence are preventable
emergencies.
Toxins in Household Cleaning
Products:
Silica:
Naturally occurring product that is made of finely
ground quartz
Toxic Properties: Carcinogen when inspired
Commercial Products: Abrasive cleaners such as
bathroom cleaners and kitchen products.
Toluene:
Derived from the tropical Colombian tree Myroxylon
balsamum.
Toxic Properties: Causes harm to developing fetuses and
used as an inhalant drug
Commercial Products: Solvents like paint thinners, paint,
floor and furniture polish and nail enamels
Hydrochloric acid:
Produced in the human body in the
gastrointestinal tract
Toxic Properties: Corrosive to the eyes and skin
(irritant)
Commercial Products: Cleaning product (in UK)
and used to produce other household products
like PVC plastic and leather processing
Lye:
Derived from the ashes of hard woods
Toxic Properties: Severely damages the stomach
and esophagus if ingested
Commercial Products: Soaps, to cure foods such
as, pretzels and oven cleaners
Alkaline Compounds

All have pH of >12 which can cause burns (ulcerations)

Toxic Properties: Ingestions causes GI ulcerations,
vomiting, salivation, dysphagia (esophageal stricture),
dyspnea
Commercial Products: Ammonia, Oven Cleaner, Most
Drain Openers
Batteries
Dry cell Carbon + Heavy metal
Wet cell used for vehicles,
lead and battery acid(H2SO4)
If swallowed majority no symptoms passed intact with
faeces.
If impacted in oesophagus fever, dysphasia, vomiting and
anorexia.
Toxicity: Tissue damage cause by flow of electric current,
potentially fatal.
Treating Household Cleaner Ingestions

If a potentially toxic amount of a non-

corrosive compound ingested, emesis
should be induced; no activated charcoal
unless systemic effects are expected
For corrosive compounds 1) dilute with
milk or water, 2) determine exactly how
much of what material was ingested
Treating Toxic Corrosive Ingestions

If there is pain, dysphagia, excessive

drooling, or ulceration and the exposure
was potentially toxic:
Establish airway and get esophagoscopy
If esophagus cant be examined quickly,
start corticosteroids
If examination indicates burns, give
corticosteroids
Symptomatic and supportive care
Toxins in Hygiene and Cosmetic
Products:
Parabens:
A group of chemicals used primarily for their
bacteriocidal and fungicidal properties
Toxic properties: evidence of the endocrine, reproductive
and developmental system effects, increased risk of
breast cancer
Commercial products: Food (as a preservative up to 1%),
cosmetics such as shampoos, moisturizers, shaving gels,
personal lubricants, topical/ parenteral pharmaceuticals,
and toothpaste
Formaldehyde:
An organic chemical compound; industrially produced by
the catalytic oxidation of methanol
Toxic properties: carcinogen, harmful if inhaled or
absorbed through skin, causes irritation to skin, eyes and
respiratory tract, may be fatal or cause blindness if
swallowed
Commercial products: perfumes, colognes and
disinfectants
Flouride:
The reduced form of flourine ; both organic and
inorganic compounds containing the element flourine
are considered flourides
Toxic properties : sarin is the most toxic form of
flouride-used as a weapon of mass destruction ;
flouride poisoning is lethal in low doses (sodium
flouride)
Commercial products : binary chemical weapons,
Teflon, topical flouride therapy, city water (sodium
flouride originally used to flouridate water)
Hydrogen Peroxide:
Naturally produced as a byproduct of oxygen metabolism
A weak acid ; used as a bleaching agent, a disinfectant,
an oxidizer and as an antiseptic
Toxic properties : Domestic strength-causes irritation to
eyes, mucous membranes and skin, Concentrated
hydrogen peroxide (50% or more)-if ingested can cause
internal bleeding, if inhaled can cause severe pulmonary
irritation
Commercial products : Diluted hydrogen peroxide (used
to bleach hair, used medically to clean wounds), used by
the FDA to control fungus on fish and fish eggs
Toxins in Food Products:
Aspartame:
Chemical created for sweetening foods
Toxic properties: Causes impaired vision, seizures,
migraines and rapid heart beat; may be linked to
cancer
Commercial products: Diet sodas, artificial sweeteners
and drink mixes
Olestra:
Fat substitute created to appeal to customers because
it contributes no fat, calories or cholesterol to food
products
Toxic properties: Causes bloody stools, diarrhea, gas,
bloating and severe cramps
Commercial products: Potato chips, corn chips and
fried snacks
Monosodium glutamate or MSG:
Produced by fermentation of starch, sugar beets, sugar cane,
or molasses
A sodium salt of glutamate; a food additive marketed as a
flavor enhancer
Toxic properties: Causes brain lesions and endocrine disorders
Commercial products: Canned soups, stock cubes, condiments,
frozen dinners, frozen seafood, flavored tortilla and potato
chips, and most fast food.
Lactose:
A disaccharide; commonly referred to as milk sugar
Toxic properties: lactose intolerance (inability to digest
lactose caused by a shortage of the enzyme lactase)-
doesnt allow the digestive system to break down lactose
which can cause nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, and
diarrhea
Commercial products: Milk, ice cream, yogurt, cheese
Poisonings are Preventable

Poisonings Are
Preventable
 Poison
Poison Prevention Tips Tips
Prevention
Store all medications, including over-the-
counter medications:
Out of sight and reach of children
In child-resistant bottles
In locked cabinets

Be sure that caps of medications and

household products are always on tight
Never refer to medications or vitamins as
candy
Teach children about poisonous substances
 Poison Prevention
Poison Prevention Tips Contd
Tips
Cont.
Keep purses and other bags with
medications out of reach of children;
remind visitors to do the same
Do not take medications or give
medications to others in front of
children
Be sure to return household products
and chemicals to a safe place
immediately after use
 Poison Prevention
Poison Prevention Tips Tips Contd
Cont.
Store all household products in their
original, labeled containers; do not
transfer to other containers such as
soda cans, milk cartons, or water jugs
Throw away old medications and other
potential poisons that are not used
anymore
Never leave a child alone with
medications or household products
 Poison Prevention
Poison Prevention Tips Tips Contd
Cont.
Know which plants in your home are toxic; be
sure to keep toxic plants out of reach of
children
Make sure there is no peeling or chipped paint
in areas where children eat, sleep or play

Keep poison control center number near all

telephones