Synonyms

• Acetaminophen, acetone, alcohol poisoning, aluminum toxicity, Alzheimer's disease, Amanita muscaria, ammonia, anemia, antacid, anthracycline chemotherapy, antioxidant, arsenic, arsenic poisoning, aspartame, benzene, BHA, BHT, bleomycin-induced lung damage, butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, calcium, carbaryl, carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide poisoning, chelating agent, chlorine, colic, cyclosporine toxicity, decane, diazinon, dioxin, ethyl alcohol, food additives, food coloring, food poisoning, formaldehyde, halogenated hydrocarbons, herbicide, hexane, isopropyl alcohol, lead toxicity, lindane, lithium, lometrexol toxicity, magnesium, malathion, mercuric chloride poisoning, mercury, methotrexate toxicity, methylmercury, monosodium glutamate, MSG, neurotoxicity, nicotine, nitrogen oxides, organophosphate, osteoporosis, para-dichlorobenzene, PCBs, P-DCB, pesticide, petroleum, phenol, phosphorous, poisoning, potassium, preservatives, radon, radon poisoning, rodenticide, Russula subnigricans, saccharin, styrene, suicide, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, toxaphene, trichloroethane, xylene.

Background

• Poisoning and toxicity occurs when individuals drink, eat, breathe, inject, or touch enough of a chemical (also called a poison or toxin) to cause illness or death. A poison is any substance that is harmful to the body when eaten, breathed, injected, or absorbed through the skin. Any substance can be poisonous if enough is taken.
• Poisoning is the most common cause of nonfatal accidents in the home. More than two million people suffer some type of poisoning each year in the United States. Drugs, including prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), and illegal drugs, are the most common source of serious poisonings and poisoning-related deaths. Most poisonings involve everyday household items such as cleaning supplies, drugs, cosmetics, and personal care items. Other common poisons include gases, agricultural products, plants, industrial chemicals, vitamins, and foods (such as raw or undercooked meats). However, almost any substance ingested in sufficiently large quantities can be toxic. Infants and young children are especially vulnerable due to their weight and size.
• The dangers of poisoning range from short-term illness to brain damage, coma, and death. Some poisons in very small amounts can cause illness or injury. Some poisons cause immediate injury, such as battery acid or household cleaners. Other poisons may take years of exposure to create a health problem, such as heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a poisoning that occurs by accident as "unintentional poisoning" and a poisoning that results from a conscious, willful decision (such as suicide or homicide) as "intentional poisoning." Unintentional poisoning includes the use of drugs or chemicals for recreational purposes in excessive amounts, such as an overdose. Unintentional poisoning also includes the excessive use of drugs or chemicals for non-recreational purposes, such as by an infant or child. Intentional poisonings include suicide, such as medication overdosage.
• Poisoning is a significant global public health problem. According to the CDC, 32,691 deaths were reported in 2005 as a result of poisoning. Of these, 23,618 (72%) were reported as unintentional, 5,833 (18%) were reported as intentional, and 3,240 (10%) were of undetermined intent. In 2004, 95% of unintentional and undetermined poisoning deaths were caused by drugs, most commonly opioid pain medications, cocaine, and heroin. In the same year, 75% of intentional poisoning suicides were caused by illegal and legal drugs. The CDC also reports that men were 2.1 times more likely to die from unintentional poisoning and 1.3 times more likely to die from intentional poisoning than women.
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Types of Poisonings and Toxicities

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Causes and Risk Factors

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Signs and Symptoms

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Diagnosis

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Treatment

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Integrative Therapies

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Prevention

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Author Information

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Bibliography

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