Your Safety: Poisons and Harmful Substances

Survival Actions

Preventing a Harmful Exposure

Guide for proper disposal and alternatives for household hazardous products

Your Safety: Poisons and Harmful Substances

Samaritan Regional Poison Control Center: 602-253-3334
Statewide Poison Control Center: 1-800-362-0101

Each year thousands of people become injured or ill due to the effects of an unintentional harmful substance exposure. This may occur by direct skin contact, inhalation, absorption or ingestion of the substance into the body. Good Samaritan Regional Poison Center in Phoenix receives thousands of calls every year concerning harmful substance exposures. Of these, about 65 percent are from ingestion of toxic substances and 13 percent are from bites, stings and envenomations. Although these occur in all age groups and socioeconomic strata, children less than five years of age are the most common victims. Adults over 18 years of age are the next highest group of exposures. There are basic principles to consider:
  • There are generally no antidotes for most poisoning.
  • Small children can get protective caps off bottles faster than most adults.
  • Siblings share, even with pets.
  • Children do not always admit the truth or truly know the amount ingested.
Harmful substances are defined as chemicals, products and plants that threaten the safety of people and pets. Harmful chemicals commonly found in homes and schools include ammonia, bleach, dish soap, antifreeze, alcohol, insecticides, paint, petroleum products (kerosene and turpentine), herbicides, pesticides, drain cleaner, pine oil cleaner, spray cleaners, certain cosmetics, swimming pool additives, prescription and non-prescription medications, recreational drugs, tobacco products, mothballs and disc batteries among others. Common harmful plant exposures include mushrooms, poinsettias and oleanders. A harmful exposure is not always identifiable unless the person involved tells someone, asks for help or behaves inappropriately. Children are more likely not to tell an adult that they have swallowed some pills because they fear punishment. Adults then must learn to recognize a harmful exposure incident by carefully watching children in their care for signs of unusual odors or unusual behavior. The most obvious sign of a harmful exposure may be open pill bottles, plants that have obviously been chewed on or eaten from, open containers or a child complaining of a "tummy ache." It is important when caring for children that an adult survey areas where the children have access, especially high-risk areas such as the garage, kitchen or bathroom. Most harmful substance exposures in the toddler and child age groups occur when a youngster ingests an over-the-counter or prescription medicine such as cough medicine and cold preparations, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, Tylenol, aspirin and multi-vitamins. Adults most often have swallowed improperly stored liquids in glasses, bottles, jars and other containers accounting for the largest number of harmful substance exposures in that age group. Samaritan Regional Poison Control Center, 602-253-3334, (if it is serious, call 9-1-1) provides around-the-clock advice and assistance with specially-trained registered nurses for patients experiencing serious toxic problems. They can be called anytime to answer questions or provide guidelines following a toxic exposure. More than 85 percent of these exposures can be handled in the home.

Last modified on 01/27/2009 14:32:12