Household Poisons

Poisonings are an unfortunate but common worldwide occurrence. A poison is defined as a substance that through its chemical action usually kills, injures, or impairs an organism. Poisoning from household substances is sometimes because of children's curiosity, although adults are also frequently poisoned as well, either accidentally or intentionally. Poison exposure is largely by ingestion, but may be through dermal, inhalational, or ocular routes. Poisoning from household substances is avoidable, thus it is imperative to educate the public, especially parents, of the dangers of common items. If poisoning is suspected, rapid emergency treatment is mandated, and should be done utilizing a Poison Control Center.

The National Capital Poison Center lists the most common substances responsible for poisoning chil-dren—cosmetics, cleaning substances, medications, antiseptics, plants, vitamins, pesticides, and foreign objects such as coins. Although other, more dangerous items exist, household substances are readily available to children, and special precautions should be taken to keep them out of reach. In adults, the most common substances include pain medicines, sedatives, cleaning substances, anti-depressants, alcohol, and cardiovascular drugs. The most toxic substances to humans are iron pills, cleaning products, hydrocarbons (gas, oil, and lighter fluid), pesticides, alcohol, windshield wiper fluid, and antifreeze.

Iron pills (which resemble candy) are a common and especially fatal threat to children. The recommended dose for children less than 6 years of age is 10 milli-grams/day. Supplements range from 18 to 150 milli-grams/pill and as little as 600 milligrams is harmful to a small child. Signs and symptoms of iron poisoning include nausea/vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, shock, and coma. Death can ensue within hours. The Food and Drug Administration has taken precautions in dosing and packaging requirements to try to reduce the number of iron poisonings in children. Medications, both prescription and over the counter, should always be kept in childproof containers.

Cleaning products are dangerous to children and adults alike due to their strong acid or base content. These include drain openers, toilet bowl cleaners, rust remover, and oven cleaner. They cause chemical burns, both internally and externally, and may damage the lungs after a long exposure in a poorly ventilated area, usually in adults who are cleaning using these products.

Antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid often cause accidental poisonings. Antifreeze is especially attractive to children due to the sweet smell and taste of ethylene glycol, the main ingredient. If ingested, antifreeze can damage the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and kidneys. The patient may have a rapid heart rate, confusion, dizziness, seizures, and coma. The main toxin in wiper fluid is methanol. Pure concentrated methanol is extremely toxic and two tablespoons is fatal to a child. Six to eight ounces is harmful to an adult. Ingestion of wiper fluid, which contains a diluted solution of methanol, can cause blindness and death, and is a medical emergency.

Many household plants such as aloe, holly, mistletoe, and azaleas, are poisonous to humans. Plants usually do not pose a problem unless the household has a young child who puts everything in his or her mouth. Aloe, a succulent houseplant used topically to treat minor cuts and burns, causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, and possible kidney damage if ingested. Mistletoe is a popular holiday decoration that can cause inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Holly berries contain toxins called saponins. Ingestion of two or three berries will cause gastroenteritis; 20 to 30 berries can be fatal. Azaleas are potentially fatal. If ingested, symptoms include decreased heart rate, decreased blood pressure, and paralysis.

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