Poisons

Specific Objectives
Define a poison
List the routes of exposure to poisons
Describe the various types of poisoning.
Identify and Explain the types of toxic
substances
Define antidotes and list the types
Discuss the general and specific methods for
management of poisoning.

What is a poison?
A poison is any substance
which has a harmful effect
on a living system.
A chemical agent or any
other substance that
adversely affects the
functioning of an organism
The study of the harmful
interactions between

Are all chemicals

toxic???

There are no safe chemicals

Only safe ways of using them
VOLTAIRE
All substances are
poisons...
the right dose separates
a poison from a remedy.

Routes of Exposure
Oral Route

Inhalational
Route

Dermal Route
(Through the
skin)

Topical Route
(Ophthalmic)

Types of Poisoning
Occupational

Intentional
Ingestion

This includes food

additives and
contaminants or people
who wish to commit
suicide by ingesting
.overdoses of drugs

Environmental
Exposure
This is also a chronic
exposure to toxicants
from factories reaching
the environment of
surrounding
populations

Occupational
Exposure

This is mainly an
continuous chronic
exposure of a worker to
a toxin in the
. workplace
Acute toxicities may
occur in case of
Accidental
.leakage
or spillage

Poisoning

This type of exposure is

usually acute. Drugs,
pesticides, and other
household products
may be ingested
commonly by elderly or
.children

Poison Severity Grade

Severe(3)severe or life threatening symptoms.

Moderate(2)pronounced or prolonged symptoms.

Minor(1)Mild, transient &
spontaneously
resolving
symptoms
None
(0)no
symp
toms
or
Signs

Types of Toxic
Substances
Drugs

Food Additives
and
Food
Contaminants

Industrial
Chemicals
and
Environmental
Pollutants

Household
Poisons

1. Drugs
Drugs are compounds designed
to have an effect on biological
systems and are therefore
potentially toxic.
All drugs are toxic in certain
doses.
Toxic doses vary from one drug
to another
Drug
Drugs
may lead
or
Toxicity
mayto
beacute
due to:
toxicities.
1.chronic
Overdose
of a drug
2. An unusual adverse effect of
the drug at normal
therapeutic doses

Thalidom
ide
Disaster
1960-62

2. Food Additives and Food

Contaminants
Food additives are
compounds that usually
have low effects on
biological systems and are
therefore less toxic.
They are included to
the flavor,
colorfood
or additives
change
Small amounts
of such
odor
of the
food
or to
ingested
daily
may
lead to chronic toxicity.
it.
preserve
Food contaminants
are non intentional toxic
agents that may be toxic bacterial or fungal
products.

2. Food Additives and Food

Contaminants
Examples of food additives:
Spains
1. Saccharin - a sweetening agent
Poison Oil
Controversial, may cause
Scandal
bladder cancer.
1981
2.
Tartrazine - a food colorant
(orange)
Causes hyperkinesis in children,
skin rashes and urticaria
Examples of food contaminants:
1. Botulinum toxin from
Clostridium botulinum bacteria.

3. Environmental Pollution and

Industrial Chemicals
Industrial chemicals contribute to
Environmental pollution.
They may be a direct hazard in the
workplace where they are used or in
the area surrounding factories using
them.
Although exposure is
controlled by law, long
term and acute
exposure due
to
Bhopal
accidents occurs.
Disaster
1985

3. Environmental Pollution and

Industrial Chemicals
The environment may
also be polluted by:
1. Car exhaust
2. Smoke from power
stations
3. Pesticides
4. Dumping of
industrial waste in
sea or land

3. Environmental Pollution and

Industrial Chemicals
Examples of Toxic Industrial
Chemicals:
-Naphthylamine
Used in dye and
rubber industry
Causes Bladder
Cancer

Cadmium (Metal)
Used in batteries,
paint and plastic
industry
Causes Kidney and
Testicular damage

Vinyl Cyanide
Used in the plastics
industry
Causes Hepatic
toxicity and
skin/bone changes

Asbestos
Used in the brake
lining industry
Causes lung
fibrosis and lung
cancer

4. Household Poisons
Many chemical agents used in households are
corrosive or irritant in nature.
They may be toxic if inhaled, ingested or if
they came in contact with the skin.
Examples of Household poisons:
1. Cleaning agents
a. Dishwasher cleaner
b. Drain cleaners
c. Kettle descaler
2. Bleaches
3. Caustic Soda

General Management of
Toxicities
General
management
Removal of the
poison from the site
of exposure.
E.g. if poison is
applied on the skin
washing.
E.g. if poison is
ingested, induction
of emesis or use of
laxatives or
activated charcoal.

Specific Antidote
An antidote is a
chemical that can be
given to counteract
the effects of a
poison
E.g. N-acetyl
cysteine is the
antidote for
paracetamol
poisoning

Basic Management of Poisoned

Patient
Antidotes are available for very few
commonly encountered poisons.

Therefore,
Treatment is usually non-specific and
symptomatic.
Management consists of:
Providing emergency first aid
Stabilization measures
Appropriate measures to reduce absorption
Measures to enhance life support
Psychiatric counseling

Antidotes
An antidote is a substance that can counteract
the harmful effects of a poison
The antidotes may be physiological, chemical or
physical.
Chemical antidotes combine with the poison and
render it inactive.
Physiological antidotes counteract the effects of the
poison on the metabolism and physiological functions
of the body and thus prevent its harmful effects.
Physical antidotes prevent the contact of the
poisonous substance with the target organ or adsorb
the toxic components, thus preventing their toxicity.

Prevention of accidental Poisoning

in children

Assignment
Write a paragraph on the following
renowned incidents of toxicity:
1. Bhopal Gas Tragedy
2. Thlidomide Disaster
3. Spains Poison Oil Scandal
For each incident mention the following:
1. The toxicant
2. The route of exposure
3. The damage caused to people
exposed
4. What remedial action was taken

Specific Objectives
Define a poison
List the routes of exposure to poisons
Describe the various types of poisoning.
Identify and Explain the types of toxic
substances
Define antidotes and list the types
Discuss the general and specific methods for
management of poisoning.

Thank You