Poisonings

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Poisonings
Poisonings
Wendy J. Pomerantz, M.D., M.S.
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Definition
Definition

• Anything someone eats, drinks,
• breaths in, or gets in their eyes or on
• their skin that can cause illness or
• death
• Can be solids, liquids, gases, or
• aerosols

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Examples of Poisons
Examples of Poisons
Household Products/Chemicals
Hair relaxer Hair removal products Mouthwash
Liquid drain openers Toilet bowl cleaners Oven c
leaners Lamp oil Plants Pesticides Furniture p
olish Windshield washer fluid
Kerosene Cigarettes Antifreeze Turpentine Pain
t thinner
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Examples of Poisons Contd
Examples of Poisons Cont.
Medications Prescription pharmaceuticals Over-t
he-counter Alcohols Gases and Fumes Car
bon monoxide
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Epidemiology
Epidemiology

• Third leading cause of unintentional
• injury deaths and suicide deaths in
• the U.S.
• Report by poison control centers in
• 2000
• - 2.2 million poison exposures
• - 500,000 people treated in healthcare
• facilities
• - 20,230 deaths
• 7.3 deaths/100,000 population
• 184.0 nonfatal poisonings/100,000 pop.

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Types of Poisonings
Types of Poisonings

• Acute
• Unintentional ingestions by toddlers
• Suicide attempt by adolescents
• Chronic
• Lead poisoning in children in old houses
• Daily pesticide exposure in children living on
  farms

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Poisoning Facts in Children
Poisoning Facts in Children

• A child is poisoned every 30 minutes in the U.S.
• 60 of all poisonings in kids less than 6 years
  old
  
• In 2000
• over 1.1 million unintentional poisonings in
  kids less than 5 years old
  
• 26 kids less 12 years old died 20 less than 6
  years old
  
• In children less than 5 years old, more than 50
  of all poisonings came from non-pharmaceutical
  products
  
• Immediately calling a poison control center may
  decrease the likelihood of severe poisoning

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Risk Factors for Poisoning
Risk Factors for Poisoning

• Unsupervised home setting
• African American race
• Males less than 5 years old
• Lower level of education
• Substance abuse
• Depressed adolescents
• Adolescent females

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Cost
Cost

• Total annual cost more than 7.6 billion
• among children less than 14 years old.
• Children 4 years old and younger account
• for 5.1 billion
• Medical expenses average 925 per case
• Average cost of inpatient treatment is
• 8,700
• Between 1996 and 1998, there were
• 1,252,904 years of potential life lost in
• the U.S. from poisoning deaths

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Poisonings are Preventable
Poisonings Are Preventable
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Poison Prevention Tips
Poison Prevention Tips

• 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
  
• Do not remove child-resistant caps
• Never refer to medications or vitamins as candy
  
  
• Teach children about poisonous substances

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Poison Prevention Tips Contd
Poison Prevention 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
  
• Store all household products and chemicals out of
  reach of children
  
• Be sure to return household products and
  chemicals to a safe place immediately after use

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Poison Prevention Tips Contd
Poison Prevention Tips 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
  
• Use cabinet latches to prevent children from
  getting to household products and medications
  
• Never leave a child alone with medications or
  household products

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Poison Prevention Tips Contd
Poison Prevention Tips 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
  
• Install functioning smoke detectors and carbon
  monoxide detectors near sleeping areas
  
• Teach grandparents, other relatives and friends
  to take precautions before children visit their
  homes
  
• Keep poison control center number near all
  telephones

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National Toll-Free Number
National Toll-Free Number for Poison Control
Centers

• 1-800-222-1222

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If a Poisoning Occurs
If a Poisoning Occurs

• Stay calm.
• If the poison is swallowed do not give the child
  anything to eat or drink do not make the person
  throw up or give Syrup of Ipecac unless directed
  by the poison center or a doctor and immediately
  contact the poison control center
• If the poison is inhaled, move the child to
  fresh air and immediately contact the poison
  control center
  
• If the poison is on the skin, remove contaminated
  clothing and rinse the skin with water for 10
  minutes, then contact the poison control center
  
• If the poison is in the eye, flush the eye with
  water for 15 minutes, then contact the poison
  control center

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If a Poisoning Occurs Contd
If a Poisoning Occurs Cont.

• Contact the poison control center at
  1-800-222-1222 and have the following
  information available
  
• Time the poisoning occurred
• Product that the child was exposed to have the
  container nearby
  
• How much the child ingested
• Any treatment given
• Childs age, weight, and condition
• Any preexisting medical problems
• Your name and telephone number
• Follow instructions given by the poison center.

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For Further Information
For Further Information

• Contact
• American Association of Poison Control Centers at
  http//www.aapcc.org/
  
• Your local poison control center
• Poison Prevention Week Council at
  http//www.poisonprevention.org/