Other Types of Accidental Poisonings and Exposures

Accidental poisonings cover a broad spectrum of populations and exposures. From the toddler ingesting something they found in the yard to medication errors to insect bites, the routes and exposure to toxic are almost endless. Some types of poisonings may not be apparent, and can cause irreparable damage if not caught in time.

As stated in the previous post on household chemical emergencies, poison control center is the fastest way to find out about what to do if you suspect any sort of exposure. Their online tool can help identify if there is a poison emergency and what to do They even have an app you can download for your phone to expedite the process.

According to The National Poison Control Center:

In 2020, the 55 U.S. poison control centers provided telephone guidance for over 2.1 million human poison exposures.

 That’s about: 

• 6.4 poison exposures/1000 population,
• 37.9 poison exposures in children younger than 6 years/1000 children,
• 1 poison exposure reported to U.S. poison control centers every 15 seconds

Adults comprised almost half of all exposures (47%), followed by children younger than 6 (39%), then teens (8%).

Types of exposures

Our previous post on household chemical exposures details what to do if you or your loved one is exposed to common household chemicals. Below are some other types of accidental poisonings:

The most common types of poisonings in children:

• cosmetics and personal care products
• cleaning substances and laundry products
• pain medications, both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC)
• foreign bodies such as toys and toy parts, coins, and thermometers
• topical preparations like rash creams
• vitamins and supplements
• antihistamines
• pesticides
• plants
• antimicrobials like antibiotics

Most dangerous types of poisonings for children:

• Medications– Over the counter and prescription medications- Remember, there is no such thing as a child proof container. Store all medications out of the reach of children. Do not store medicine in any container other than its original packaging. 

• • Carbon monoxide poisoning Not all poisons are swallowed; some are inhaled, or breathed in. Carbon monoxide gas is in fact an invisible killer. It has no color or odor. Take it seriously. Make sure there’s a carbon monoxide alarm in every sleeping area of your home.
  • Button batteries (sometimes called disc batteries) can be found in musical greeting cards, remote controls, key fobs, and other small electronic devices. Be especially mindful of the 20 mm lithium coin cell battery. When swallowed by a child, especially one younger than 4 years, it often lodges in the esophagus causing burns within just 2 hours. A hole in the esophagus may develop and the burn can extend into the trachea or aorta. More than 60 children have died from ingesting button batteries.

• Iron pills  are very dangerous for children to ingest. A child can start throwing up blood or have bloody diarrhea within an hour of ingestion

• Cleaning products (covered in previous post)

• Nail glue and primer (used in artificial nails, etc)
• Hydrocarbons: This is a broad category that includes gasoline, kerosene, lamp oil, motor oil, lighter fluid, furniture polish, and paint thinner.
• Wild mushrooms: Many types of mushrooms grow in many areas of the country. Some are deadly to eat.
• Alcohol: When children swallow alcohol, they can have seizures, go into a coma, or even die. This is true no matter where the alcohol comes from. Mouthwash, facial cleaners, and hair tonics can have as much alcohol in them as alcoholic beverages.
• Drain cleaners and toilet bowl cleaners: These caustics cause devastating burns to the mouth, throat and stomach. Drain cleaners may be strongly alkaline and toilet bowl cleaners may be strong acids. If swallowed, they must be diluted immediately to limit the damage that rapidly occurs.
• Topical anesthetics: These medicines can cause seizures or a condition called methemoglobinemia which keeps the blood from carrying oxygen to the tissues. Be especially careful with teething gels, hemorrhoid preparations, anti-itch creams, and sunburn relief agents.

The most common types of poison exposures in adults:

• pain medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC)
• sedatives, hypnotics, antipsychotics
• antidepressants
• cardiovascular drugs
• cleaning substances (household)
• alcohols
• pesticides
• bites -ticks, spiders, bees, snakes)
• anticonvulsants
• cosmetics and personal care products

What to do if suspected poisoning:

If unconscious, vomiting, seizures, or other signs of distress immediately call 911, then contact via phone, app or online tool the poison control center for guidance. Do not immediately try to induce vomiting until you contact them. Some chemicals are caustic and can cause damage to the esophagus if vomited. 

Action Plan:

On the refrigerator or other conspicuous place:

• Keep an envelope with a list of medications and allergies for each family member
• Keep a list of medications and allergies on refrigerator for each family member
• Post poison control center phone number 1-800-222-1222
• Post primary care provider name and number
• Speak with primary care provider about keeping syrup of Ipecac on hand to induce vomiting.

Almost every household has some products that contain hazardous materials or chemicals. Knowing how to handle and store these products and what to do if someone is improperly exposed to them can help reduce injury.

Prevention is key. Before an emergency occurs, make sure to store household chemicals in places where children and pets cannot get to them. Also make sure you have the national poison control number saved in your cell phone or posted common areas or near landlines.

National Poison Control Phone: 1-800-222-1222

Down below is a list of common household chemicals:

• Aerosol cans – may include cleaning supplies, but also consider hairspray or deodorant as well
• Nail polish or nail polish remover
• Cleaning products and furniture polishes
• Laundry detergent and bleach
• Automotive products like oil, windshield wiper fluid and antifreeze
• Flammable products like kerosene, heating oil, propane tanks and lighter fluid
• Lawn and garden supplies like pesticides, herbicides and insecticides
• Workshop or painting supplies like paint thinner
• Common household items like batteries, mercury thermometers, and fluorescent light bulbs

Storage of hazardous or dangerous chemicals is of utmost importance. Again, only store household chemicals in places where children and pets cannot get to them. Make sure they are out of reach and have a lock or child proof fastener to prevent accidental openings.

Other storage pearls to consider:

• Keep all chemicals in their original containers and never remove the labels. If a container is corroding, it should be repackaged and clearly labeled
• Never store hazardous chemicals in food containers
• Make sure to dispose of chemicals correctly and never mix household chemicals. For example, bleach and ammonia may react and ignite or explode.
• Never use products near an open flame
• Clean up spills immediately. Allow fumes in rags to evaporate in a well ventilated area or outdoors before properly disposing of them

If there is a chemical spill or emergency in your home, make sure to follow these steps:

• Get out immediately if there is danger of fire or explosion
• Stay upwind and away from residences to avoid further exposure and breathing toxic fumes
• Monitor yourself and others for signs of toxic poisoning, which may include:
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Changes to skin color
  • Headaches or blurry vision
  • Irritation of eyes, skin, throat, or respiratory tract
  • Dizziness, clumsiness or lack of coordination
  • Cramps or diarrhea
• Call the national poison control phone number if you think someone is experiencing any symptoms.
• Follow instructions from the emergency dispatcher. Do not give anything by mouth unless advised to do so.

After a chemical emergency, discard all clothing and materials that have been contaminated. Some chemicals do not wash out fully.