Accidental poisoning

Barbiturate overdose is a factor in nearly one-third of all reported drug-related deaths in the United States. These deaths include suicides and accidental drug poisonings. Accidental deaths sometimes occur when a user takes one dose, becomes confused, and unintentionally takes additional or larger doses. In the case of barbiturates, there is a narrow margin between the amount that induces sleep and the amount that kills. 

Available human literature on T1 is mainly case reports from the results of acute poisonings, accidental ingestions, or suicide attempts. Although the acute classic syndrome of T1 poisoning involves gastroenteritis, polyneuropathy, and... 

Humbert JR, Tress JH, Braico KT. Fatal cyanide poisoning accidental ingestion of amygdalin. JAMA 1977 238(6) 482. 

Human Toxicity Not generally considered poisonous. Accidental substitution of NaC] for lactose in baby formulas has caused fata] poisoning. 

Although iron is not an environmental poison, accidental intoxication with ferrous salts used to treat iron deficiency is a frequently encountered source of poisoning in young children, iron is discussed further in Chapter 53. 

In a study of OP poi.soning in India, Agarwal (1993) found that 67.4% of patients had suicidal intentions, 16.8% of the poisonings were caused by occupational exposures, and 15.8% of patients were poisoned accidentally. An... 

Poisoning of catalysts is due to the specific action of certain species - poisons -accidentally being present at trace levels in the gas phase. It is assumed that the poisoning is due to adsorption of the poison at the catalyst surface ... 

Other sources of hazard arise from the handling of such chemicals as concentrated acids, alkalis, metallic sodium and bromine, and in working with such extremely poisonous substances as sodium and potassium cyanides. The special precautions to be observed will be indicated, where necessary, in the experiments in which the substances are employed, and will also be supplied by the demonstrator. The exercise of obvious precautions and cautious handling will in most cases reduce the danger to almost negligible proportions. Thus, if concentrated sulphuric acid should be accidentally spilled, it should be immediately washed with a liberal quantity of water or of a solution of a mild alkali. 

The leagent may also be prepared by dissolving 1 ml. of phenylhydrazine in a solution of 1 ml. of glacial acetic acid and 10 ml. of water. This procedure is not so convenient as that from the solid hydrochloride becaiise of the poisonous character of phenylhydrazine (both liquid and vapour). If the liquid is accidentally spilled on the skin, wash it at once with dilute acetic acid, followed by soap and water. 

Nitrobenzene (and many other liquid organic compoimds containing nitrogen) is appreciably toxic and its vapour should not be allowed to escape into the atmosphere of the laboratory the delivery tube of the condenser should pass well into the mouth of the receiver flask. The liquid is also a skin poison if it Is accidentally spilled on the skin, it should be removed by washing with a litt e methylated spirit, followed by soap and warm water. 

CAUTION, Doth the vapour and the liquid dimethyl sulphate are highly poisonous. Inhalation of the vapour may lead to giddiness and even to more serious results. The cold liquid is easily absorbed through the skin, with toxic results. If the dimethyl sulphate is accidentally splashed upon the hands, wash immediately... 

Mononitrothiophene is an active poison. The accidental contact of an ethereal solution with the skin has produced painful blisters. In case of accident the compound should be removed from the exposed surface by washing with alcohol. 

Heavy metals on or in vegetation and water have been and continue to be toxic to animals and fish. Arsenic and lead from smelters, molybdenum from steel plants, and mercury from chlorine-caustic plants are major offenders. Poisoning of aquatic life by mercury is relatively new, whereas the toxic effects of the other metals have been largely eliminated by proper control of industrial emissions. Gaseous (and particulate) fluorides have caused injury and damage to a wide variety of animals—domestic and wild—as well as to fish. Accidental effects resulting from insecticides and nerve gas have been reported. 

In experimental work, some accidental exposures, or in the administration of medicine, the dose may be a certain quantity of the chemical administered at one time, such as in a pill, an injection, or an accidentally swallowed poison. In industry, time is a factor in most exposures, and the dose is the result of both the concentration of the toxic agent and the duration of the exposure. 

Aids in the procurement of information on the contents and potential toxicity of substances that may cause accidental poisonings and on the proper management ofpoisonings. Establishes standards for poison information and control centers and maintains a national database on poisons. 

Emetics are used to cause vomiting to empty the stomach rapidly when an individual has accidentally or intentionally ingested a poison or drug overdose Not all poison ingestions or drug overdoses are treated with emetics. 

EMETICS After file administration of an emetic, file nurse closely observes file patient for signs of shock, respiratory depression, or other signs and symptoms that may be part of file clinical picture of file specific poison or drug that was accidentally or purposely taken. 

In case of accidental or intentional poisoning, contact the nearest poison control center before using or giving this drug. Not all poisoning can be treated with this drug. 

Ms. Jerkins has four children and wants to keep syrup of ipecac available in case of accidental poisoning. Discuss the information you fed that Ms. Jerkins should know before die administers this drug. 

Ethylene glycol is common in automotive antifreeze mixtures. Because of its toxicity, it is sometimes replaced by propylene glycol, which is FDA approved for use in food, and is considered generally accepted as safe. Ethylene glycol has a sweet taste, and accidental poisoning in children is a danger. 

Available records Indicate that worldwide each year, there are about 1,000,000 accidental human poisonings and about 20,000 human deaths (50). In the U.S. there are 20,000 reported human pesticide poisonings and about 35 reported fatalities each year (Blondell,... 

Tiess D, Wegener R, Tamme A. 1982. [A case of accidental parathion-methyl (Wofatox) poisoning with lethal result]. Deutsch Gesundheitswes 37 1540-1542. (German)... 

Symptoms of endosulfan poisoning have been seen in some people who were exposed to very large amounts of this pesticide during its manufacture. Symptoms of endosulfan poisoning have also been seen in people who intentionally or accidentally ate or drank large amounts of endosulfan. Most of these people experienced convulsions or other nervous system effects. 

Similarly, convulsive seizures and a sustained epileptic state persisted after stomach contents were pumped and activated charcoal and anticonvulsive medication were administered in a 43-year-old man who ingested approximately 260 mg/kg endosulfan (Boereboom et al. 1998). At 4 days after exposure, the man was pronounced brain dead, and autopsy revealed cerebral hernia from massive cerebral edema. Eight additional accidental and/or intentional cases of acute poisoning with endosulfan resulting in adverse neurological effects have been reported in more recent studies, six by Blanco-Coronado et al. (1992), one by Lo et al. (1995), and one by Pradhan et al. (1997) two out of the eight resulted in death. Tonic-clonic convulsions were seen in the Blanco-Coronado et al. (1992) cases, whereas Lo et al. (1995) reported the development of muscle fasciculations and episodes of convulsions in their case. In the case reported by Pradhan et al. (1997), the patient had consumed about 75 mL of hquid endosulfan (35% w/v). In this case, in addition to tonic-clonic seizures and myoclonic jerks, the patient developed... 

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