Poisoning

What is poisoning? In the context of biology, poisons are substances that cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism. May cause either temporary or permanent damage TOXIC

How do you get Poisoned? You eat it? (wild berries) You absorb it through your skin? (Toxic dyes? Poisoned clothes?) Inhaled? (chlorine gas?) Splashed into the eye? (Cleaning products?) Injected into the blood stream? (mad scientist?)

Ingested (swallowed) Drugs Detergents Plant poison Rat poison Food poisoning (Clostridium Perfringens/ Salmonella/ Campylobacter) Viral food poisons

symptoms Nausea and vomiting Diarrhea Abdominal pain Seizures Irregular, or fast/slow heartbeat Impaired consciousness

Actions Ensure ABC Call Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Use face mask for ventilation (if required)

Absorbed through skin DIY and gardening products Cleaning products Industrial/plant poisons

Symptoms Pain Swelling Rash Redness Itching

Actions Remove any contaminated clothing Wash affected area with cold water Call EMS and give CPR (if required)

Inhaled Fumes from DIY and cleaning products Industrial poisons (SO2/ NO2/ Cl2) Fumes from fires (CO2 poisoning)

symptoms Breathing difficulties Hypoxia Cyanosis

Actions Assist into fresh air Call EMS CPR (if necessary)

Splashed in eye DIY and gardening products Cleaning products Industrial/plant poisons

Symptoms Pain in eye Watering (tearing) in eye Blurred vision/ Loss of vision

Actions Irrigate eye for 10 minutes Call EMS CPR (if required) Uninjured Injured

Injected into bloodstream Venom from stings and bites Drugs

Symptoms Pain, redness, swelling Blurred vision Nausea and vomiting Difficulty breathing Seizures Impaired consciousness Anaphylactic shock

Actions Remove sting if possible Call EMS CPR (if required)

NOtes For all types of poisoning, never try to induce vomiting Do not put yourself at risk of getting poisoned yourself

Thank you