Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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
Routes of Exposure
Oral Route
Inhalational
Route
Dermal Route
(Through the
skin)
Topical Route
(Ophthalmic)
Types of Poisoning
Occupational
Intentional
Ingestion
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
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
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
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.
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