poison

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1. A substance that causes injury, illness, or death, especially by chemical means.
2. Something destructive or fatal.
3. Chemistry & Physics. A substance that inhibits another substance or a reaction: a catalyst poison.

1. To kill or harm with poison.
2. To put poison on or into: poisoning arrows; poisoned the drink.
3. 1. To pollute: Noxious fumes poison the air. See synonyms at contaminate.
   2. To have a harmful influence on; corrupt: Jealousy poisoned their friendship.
4. Chemistry & Physics. To inhibit (a substance or reaction).

Poisonous.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin pōtiō, pōtiōn-, drink.]

WORD HISTORY   The phrase poison potion, besides being alliterative, also consists of doublets, that is, two words that go back ultimately to the same source in another language. The source for both words is Latin pōtiō (stem form pōtiōn-), which meant “the act of drinking, a drink, or a draft, as of a medicine or poison.” Our word potion, which retains the sense “dose,” passed through Old French (pocion) on its way to Middle English (pocion), first recorded in a work composed around 1300. In Old French pocion is a learned borrowing, one that was deliberately taken from Latin in a form corresponding to the Latin form. Our spelling potion is the result of a similar impulse toward Latinization; in the late Renaissance and Enlightenment, numerous English words that had been borrowed from Old French were respelled according to the shape of their Latin ancestors. Pocion thus was changed to potion on the model of Latin pōtiō. But the Latin word had also passed through Vulgar Latin into Old French in the different form poison. This word meant “beverage,” “liquid dose,” and also “poison beverage, poison.” The word poison is first recorded in Middle English in a work composed around 1200.

A substance which by chemical action and at low dosage can kill or injure living organisms. Broadly defined, poisons include chemicals toxic for any living form: microbes, plants, or animals. In common usage the word is limited to substances toxic for humans and mammals, particularly where toxicity is a substance's major property of medical interest. Because of their diversity in origin, chemistry, and toxic action, poisons defy any simple classification. Almost all chemicals with recognized physiological effects are toxic at sufficient dosage.

Origin and chemistry

Many poisons are of natural origin. Some bacteria secrete toxic proteins (for example, botulinus, diphtheria, and tetanus toxins) that are among the most poisonous compounds known. Lower plants notorious for poisonous properties are ergot (Claviceps purpurea) and a variety of toxic mushrooms. See also Ergot and ergotism; Mushroom; Toxin.

Higher plants, which constitute the major natural source of drugs, contain a great variety of poisonous substances. Many of the plant alkaloids double as drugs or poisons, depending on dose. These include curare, quinine, atropine, mescaline, morphine, nicotine, cocaine, picrotoxin, strychnine, lysergic acid, and many others. See also Atropine; Cocaine; Quinine.

Poisons of animal origin (venoms) are similarly diverse. Toxic marine animals alone include examples of every phylum. Insects and snakes represent the best-known venomous land animals, but on land, too, all phyla include poison-producing species. Among mammalian examples are certain shrews with poison-producing salivary glands. See also Poison gland.

Poisons of nonliving origin vary in chemical complexity from the toxic elements, for example, the heavy metals, to complex synthetic organic molecules. Most of the heavy metals (gold, silver, mercury, arsenic, and lead) are poisons of high potency in the form of their soluble salts. Strong acids or bases are toxic largely because of corrosive local tissue injury.

The chemically reactive gases hydrogen sulfide, hydrocyanic acid, chlorine, bromine, and ammonia are also toxic, even at low concentration, both because of their corrosiveness and because of more subtle chemical interaction with enzymes or other cell constituents.

Many organic substances of synthetic origin are highly toxic and represent a major source of industrial hazard. Most organic solvents are more or less toxic on ingestion or inhalation. Many alcohols, such as methanol, are much more toxic. Many solvents (for example, carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethane, dioxane, and ethylene glycol) produce severe chemical injury to the liver and other viscera, sometimes from rather low dosage.

Physiological actions

The action of poisons is generally described by the physiological or biochemical changes which they produce. For most poisons, a descriptive account can be given which indicates what organic system (for example, heart, kidney, liver, brain, and bone marrow) appears to be most critically involved and contributes most to seriously disordered body function or death. In many cases, however, organ effects are multiple, or functional derangements so generalized that a cause of death cannot be localized.

More precise understanding of the mechanism of poisons requires detailed knowledge of their action in chemical terms. Information of this kind is available for only a few compounds, and then in only fragmentary detail. Poisons that inhibit acetylcholinesterase have toxic actions traceable to a single blocked enzyme reaction, hydrolysis of normally secreted acetylcholine. Detailed understanding of the mechanism of chemical inhibition of cholinesterase is not complete, but allows some prediction of chemical structures likely to act as inhibitors. See also Acetylcholine.

Carbon monoxide toxicity is also partly understood in chemical terms, since formation of carboxyhemoglobin, a form incapable of oxygen transport, is sufficient to explain the anoxic features of toxicity.

Heavy metal poisoning in many cases is thought to involve inhibition of enzymes by formation of metal mercaptides with enzyme sulfhydryl groups, the unsubstituted form of which is necessary for enzyme action. This is a general reaction that may occur with a variety of sulfhydryl-containing enzymes in the body. Specific susceptible enzymes whose inhibition explains toxicity have not yet been well documented.

Metabolic antagonists active as poisons function by competitive blocking of normal metabolic reactions. Some antagonists may act directly as enzyme inhibitors, others may be enzymatically altered to form derivatives which are even more potent inhibitors at a later metabolic step. See also Enzyme inhibition.

Where poison mechanisms are relatively well understood, it has sometimes been possible to employ rationally selected antidotes.

Potency

The strength or potency of poisons is most frequently measured by the lethal dose, potency being inversely proportional to lethal dose. From statistically treated dose-response data, the dose killing 50% of the sample population can be determined, and is usually designated the MLD (median lethal dose) or LD50. This is the commonest measure of toxic potency. See also Lethal dose 50; Toxicology.

noun

1. Anything that is injurious, destructive, or fatal: bane, canker, contagion, toxin, venom, virus. See help/harm/harmless.
2. One that contaminates: adulterant, adulterator, contaminant, contamination, contaminator, impurity, pollutant. See clean/dirty.

verb

1. To make physically impure: contaminate, defile, foul, pollute. See clean/dirty.
2. To have a destructive effect on: canker, envenom, infect. Archaic empoison. See help/harm/harmless.

adjective

Capable of injuring or killing by poison: mephitic, mephitical, poisonous, toxic, toxicant, venomous, virulent. See help/harm/harmless.

Idioms beginning with poison:
poison-pen letter

In addition to the idiom beginning with poison, also see one man's meat is another man's poison.

Definition: substance which causes harm, death
Antonyms: antidote

v

Definition: contaminate, pollute
Antonyms: purify, sterilize

A substance that, when ingested, inhaled, absorbed, injected into, or developed within the body, will cause damage to structures of the body and impair or destroy their function.

For more information on poison, visit Britannica.com.

Any substance dangerous to living organisms that if applied internally or externally, destroy the action of vital functions or prevent the continuance of life.

Economic poisons are those substances that are used to control insects, weeds, fungi, bacteria, rodents, predatory animals, or other pests. Economic poisons are useful to society but are still dangerous.

The way a poison is controlled depends on its potential for harm, its usefulness, and the reasons for its use. The law has a right and a duty pursuant to the police power of a state to control substances that can do great harm.

In the past, an individual who was harmed by a poison that had been handled in a careless manner could institute a lawsuit for damages against the person who had mishandled the chemical. As time went on, state statutes prescribed the circumstances under which someone was legally liable for injuries caused by a poison. For example, a sale to anyone under sixteen years of age was unlawful, and a seller was required to ensure that the buyer understood that the chemical was poisonous. It was not unusual for all poisons, drugs, and narcotics to be covered by the same statutory scheme.

Specialized statutes currently regulate poisons. Pesticides must be registered with the federal government, and those denied registration cannot be used. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a number of regulations governing the use of approved pesticides. Federal law also prohibits unauthorized adulteration of any product with a poisonous substance and requires clear labeling for anything sold with a poisonous ingredient. It might not be sufficient to list all the chemicals in a container or even to put the word POISON on the label. The manufacturer should also warn of the injuries that are likely to occur and the conditions under which the poison will cause harm. Stricter standards are applied to household products than to poisonous products intended to be used in a factory, on a farm, or by a specially trained person. Poisonous food products are banned. Under other federal regulations, pesticide residues on foods are prohibited above certain low tolerance levels.

Certain provisions under federal law seek to protect children from poisoning. Special packaging is required for some household products so that a child will not mistake them for food or will not be able to open containers. Federal funds are available for local programs to reduce or eliminate the danger of poisoning from lead-based paint. Under the Hazardous Substances Act (15 U.S.C.A. § 1261 et seq.), toys containing poisonous substances can be banned or subjected to recall.

A substance that, on ingestion, inhalation, absorption, application, injection or development within the body, in relatively small amounts, may cause structural damage or functional disturbance.
Corrosives are poisons that destroy tissues directly. They include the mineral acids, such as nitric acid, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid, and the caustic alkalis, such as ammonia, sodium hydroxide (lye), sodium carbonate and sodium hypochlorite; and carbolic acid (phenol).
Irritants are poisons that inflame the mucous membranes by direct action. These include copper sulfate, salts of lead, cantharidin, oxalate raphides, and many plant and insect poisons.
Nerve toxins act on the nerves or affect some of the basic cell processes. This large group includes the narcotics, such as opium, heroin and cocaine, and the barbiturates, anesthetics and alcohols.
Blood toxins act on the blood and deprive it of oxygen. They include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocyanic acid and the gases used in chemical warfare. Some blood toxins destroy the blood cells or the platelets.
See also poisoning and names of individual poisons.

• p. bean — sesbania spp., thermopsis montana.
• berry p. — gastrolobium parvifolium.
• box p. — gastrolobium parviflorum.
• bullock p. — gastrolobium trilobum.
• p. bush — thesium namaquense.
• bushman's p. — acokanthera spp.
• p. buttercup — ranunculus scleratus.
• camel p. — erythrophleum chlorostachys.
• candyup p. — stypandra glauca.
• Champion Bay p. — gastrolobium oxyloboides.
• clover-leaf p. — goodia lotifolia.
• cluster p. — gastrolobium bennettsianum.
• p. Control Center — public facility set up to provide information around the clock to provide information on toxicity of substances and current information of correct first aid methods and antidotes for poisoning emergencies.
• crinkle-leaf p. — gastrolobium villosum.
• desert p. bush — gastrolobium grandiflorum.
• p. elder — toxicodendron vernix.
• Gilbernene p. — gastrolobium rotundifolium.
• granite p. — gastrolobium graniticum.
• heart-leaf p. bush — gastrolobium bilobum or G. grandiflorum.
• p. hemlock — conium maculatum.
• Hill River p. — gastrolobium polystachyum.
• hook-point p. — gastrolobium hamulosum.
• horned p. — gastrolobium polystachyum.
• Hutt River p. — gastrolobium propinquum.
• insect p. — see bee sting, epicauta vittata, tick paralysis.
• p. ivy — toxicodendron radicans.
• kite-leaf p. — gastrolobium laytonii.
• lamb p. — isotropis cuneifolia.
• p. leaf — dichapetalum cymosum.
• p. lobelia — lobelia pratioides.
• mallet p. — gastrolobium densifolium.
• marlock p. — gastrolobium parviflorum.
• p. morning glory — ipomoea muelleri.
• narrow-leaf p. — gastrolobium stenophyllum.
• net-leaf p. — gastrolobium racemosum.
• p. oak — toxicodendron diversilobum, T. quercifolium.
• p. onion — dipcadi glaucum.
• pea-blossom p. — isotropis spp.
• p. peach — trema tomentosa. Called also peach-leaf poison bush.
• p. pimelea — pimelea pauciflora.
• p. pod albizia — albizia versicolor.
• prickly p. — gastrolobium spinosum.
• rigid-leaf p. — gastrolobium rigidum.
• river p. — gastrolobium forrestii.
• river p. tree — excoecaria dallachyana.
• rock p. — gastrolobium callistachys.
• Roe's p. — gastrolobium spectabile.
• round-leaf p. — gastrolobium pycnostachyum.
• runner p. — gastrolobium ovalifolium.
• p. sage — isotropis atropurpurea.
• sandplain p. — gastrolobium microcarpum.
• scale-leaf p. — gastrolobium appressum.
• p. sedge — schoenus asperocarpus.
• slender p. — gastrolobium heterophyllum.
• slender lamb p. — isotropis juncea.
• spike p. — gastrolobium glaucum.
• Stirling Range p. — gastrolobium velutinum.
• p. suckleya — suckleya suckleyana.
• p. sumac — toxicodendron vernix.
• thick-leaf p. — gastrolobium crassifolium.
• p. vetch — astragalus spp., oxytropis spp.
• wallflower p. — gastrolobium grandiflorum.
• p. walnut — cryptocarya pleurosperma.
• wodjil p. — gastrolobium floribundum.
• woolly p. — gastrolobium tomentosum.
• York Road p. — gastrolobium calycinum.

Poison in a dream may represent an attempt to get rid of something within oneself that is producing sickness. A violent rejection of a condition or a relationship may be causing the dreamer to suffer.

For other uses, see Poison (disambiguation).

EU standard toxic symbol, as defined by Directive 67/548/EEC. skull and crossbones became a standard symbol for poison.

Treatment for

Toxicology and poison

General Toxicology (Forensic) Toxinology History of poison

Concepts Poison Venom Toxicant (Toxin) Acceptable daily intake Acute toxicity Bioaccumulation Biomagnification Fixed Dose Procedure LD50 Lethal dose Toxic capacity Toxicity Class

Treatments Antidote Gastric lavage Whole bowel irrigation Activated carbon Cathartic Hemodialysis Chelation therapy Hemoperfusion

Incidents Bradford Minamata Niigata Alexander Litvinenko Bhopal 2007 pet food recalls Seveso disaster List of poisonings

Related topics Hazard symbol Carcinogen Mutagen List of Extremely Hazardous Substances Biological warfare Food safety

Biology portal

v • d • e

In the context of biology, poisons are substances that can cause disturbances to organisms,^[1] usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism. Legally and in hazardous chemical labelling, poisons are especially toxic substances; less toxic substances are labelled "harmful", "irritant", or not labelled at all.

In medicine (particularly veterinary) and in zoology, a poison is often distinguished from a toxin and a venom. Toxins are poisons produced via some biological function in nature, and venoms are usually defined as biologic toxins that are injected by a bite or sting to cause their effect, while other poisons are generally defined as substances which are absorbed through epithelial linings such as the skin or gut.

Contents 1 Terminology 2 Uses of poison 3 Biological poisoning 4 Poisoning management 4.1 Initial management 4.2 Decontamination 4.3 Antidotes 4.4 Enhanced excretion 4.5 Further treatment 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

Terminology

Some poisons are also toxins, usually referring to naturally produced substances, such as the bacterial proteins that cause tetanus and botulism. A distinction between the two terms is not always observed, even among scientists.

Animal toxins that are delivered subcutaneously (e.g. by sting or bite) are also called venom. In normal usage, a poisonous organism is one that is harmful to consume, but a venomous organism uses poison to defend itself while still alive. A single organism can be both venomous and poisonous.

The derivative forms "toxic" and "poisonous" are synonymous.

Within chemistry and physics, a poison is a substance that obstructs or inhibits a reaction, for example by binding to a catalyst. For an example, see nuclear poison.

Paracelsus, the father of toxicology, once wrote: "Everything is poison, there is poison in everything. Only the dose makes a thing not a poison." The phrase "poison" is often used colloquially to describe any harmful substance, particularly corrosive substances, carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens and harmful pollutants, and to exaggerate the dangers of chemicals. The legal definition of "poison" is stricter. A medical condition of poisoning can also be caused by substances that are not legally required to carry the label "poison".

Uses of poison

See also: History of poison

"Poisoning of Queen Bona" by Jan Matejko.

Throughout human history, intentional application of poison has been used as a method of assassination, murder, suicide and execution.^[2][3] As a method of execution, poison has been ingested, as the ancient Athenians did (see Socrates), inhaled, as with carbon monoxide or hydrogen cyanide (see gas chamber), or injected (see lethal injection). Many languages describe lethal injection with their corresponding words for "poison shot". Poison's lethal effect can be combined with its allegedly magical powers; an example is the Chinese gu poison. Poison was also employed in gunpowder warfare. For example, the 14th century Chinese text of the Huo Long Jing written by Jiao Yu outlined the use of a poisonous gunpowder mixture to fill cast iron grenade bombs.^[4]

On the whole, however, poisons are usually not used for their toxicity, but may be used for their other properties. The property of toxicity itself has limited non-lethal applications: mainly for controlling pests and weeds, cleaning and maintenance, and for preserving building materials and food stuffs. Where possible, specific agents which are less poisonous to humans have come to be preferred, but exceptions such as phosphine continue in use.

Most poisonous materials still in use are used for their chemical or physical properties other than being poisonous. Many over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin and Tylenol, are quite toxic if ingested in sufficiently large quantities. Alcohol is also toxic if too much is ingested in a short enough time. In laboratory environments, where specific chemical properties are often required, the most effective, easiest, safest, or cheapest option for use in a chemical synthesis may be a poisonous material. If a toxic substance possesses these properties more exactly than a non-toxic one, the toxic substance is superior. Chromic acid is an example of such a "simple to use" reagent, but reactivity, in particular, is important. Hydrogen fluoride (HF), for example, is both poisonous and extremely corrosive. However, it has a high affinity (free energy) for silicon, which is exploited by using HF to etch glass or to manufacture silicon semiconductor chips.

On the other hand, certain medical treatments actually make deliberate use of the toxicity of certain substances. Antibiotics (originally harvested from organisms but now artificially produced in laboratories) are highly disruptive to the biochemistry of micro-organisms while having almost no direct effect upon humans. Similarly, the drugs used in chemotherapy are quite toxic; the reason chemotheraputic drugs have far more severe side effects than antibiotics is that their toxicity is not as narrowly tailored. Their benefit arises from the fact that they are—hopefully—more toxic to cancerous cells than normal ones. Such substances could be classified as poisons under the categories defined above, as they are generally artificial in nature, but are not generally discussed as such.

Biological poisoning

Acute poisoning is exposure to a poison on one occasion or during a short period of time. Symptoms develop in close relation to the exposure. Absorption of a poison is necessary for systemic poisoning. In contrast, substances that destroy tissue but do not absorb, such as lye, are classified as corrosives rather than poisons.

Chronic poisoning is long-term repeated or continuous exposure to a poison where symptoms do not occur immediately or after each exposure. The patient gradually becomes ill, or becomes ill after a long latent period. Chronic poisoning most commonly occurs following exposure to poisons that bioaccumulate such as mercury and lead.

Contact or absorption of poisons can cause rapid death or impairment. Agents that act on the nervous system can paralyze in seconds or less, and include both biologically derived neurotoxins and so-called nerve gases, which may be synthesized for warfare or industry.

Inhaled or ingested cyanide, used as a method of execution in gas chambers, almost instantly starves the body of energy by inhibiting the enzymes in mitochondria that make ATP. Intravenous injection of an unnaturally high concentration of potassium chloride, such as in the execution of prisoners in parts of the United States, quickly stops the heart by eliminating the cell potential necessary for muscle contraction.

Most biocides, including pesticides, are created to act as poisons to target organisms, although acute or less observable chronic poisoning can also occur in non-target organism, including the humans who apply the biocides and other beneficial organisms. For example, the herbicide 2,4-D imitates the action of a plant hormone, to the effect that the lethal toxicity is specific to plants. Indeed, 2,4-D is not a poison, but classified as "harmful" (EU).

Many substances regarded as poisons are toxic only indirectly, by toxication. An example is "wood alcohol" or methanol, which is not poisonous itself, but is chemically converted to toxic formaldehyde and formic acid in the liver. Many drug molecules are made toxic in the liver, and the genetic variability of certain liver enzymes makes the toxicity of many compounds differ between individuals.

The study of the symptoms, mechanisms, treatment and diagnosis of biological poisoning is known as toxicology.

Exposure to radioactive substances can produce radiation poisoning, an unrelated phenomenon.

Poisoning management

• Poison Control Centers (reachable at 1-800-222-1222 in the US worldwide) provide immediate, free, and expert treatment advice and assistance over the telephone in case of suspected exposure to poisons or toxic substances.

Initial management

• Initial management for all poisonings includes ensuring adequate cardiopulmonary function and providing treatment for any symptoms such as seizures, shock, and pain.

Decontamination

• If the toxin was recently ingested, absorption of the substance may be able to be decreased through gastric decontamination. This may be achieved using activated charcoal, gastric lavage, whole bowel irrigation, or nasogastric aspiration. Routine use of emetics (syrup of Ipecac), cathartics or laxatives are no longer recommended.
  • Activated charcoal is the treatment of choice to prevent absorption of the poison. It is usually administered when the patient is in the emergency room or by a trained emergency healthcare provider such as a Paramedic or EMT. However, charcoal is ineffective against metals, Na, K, alcohols, glycols, acids, and alkalis.
  • Whole bowel irrigation cleanses the bowel, this is achieved by giving the patient large amounts of a polyethylene glycol solution. The osmotically balanced polyethylene glycol solution is not absorbed into the body, having the effect of flushing out the entire gastrointestinal tract. Its major uses are following ingestion of sustained release drugs, toxins that are not absorbed by activated charcoal (i.e. lithium, iron), and for the removal of ingested packets of drugs (body packing/smuggling).^[5]
  • Gastric lavage, commonly known as a stomach pump, is the insertion of a tube into the stomach, followed by administration of water or saline down the tube. The liquid is then removed along with the contents of the stomach. Lavage has been used for many years as a common treatment for poisoned patients. However, a recent review of the procedure in poisonings suggests no benefit.^[6] It is still sometimes used if it can be performed within 1 h of ingestion and the exposure is potentially life threatening.
  • Nasogastric aspiration involves the placement of a tube via the nose down into the stomach, the stomach contents are then removed via suction. This procedure is mainly used for liquid ingestions where activated charcoal is ineffective, e.g. ethylene glycol.
  • Emesis (i.e. induced by ipecac) is no longer recommended in poisoning situations.^[7]
  • Cathartics were postulated to decrease absorption by increasing the expulsion of the poison from the gastrointestinal tract. There are two types of cathartics used in poisoned patients; saline cathartics (sodium sulfate, magnesium citrate, magnesium sulfate) and saccharide cathartics (sorbitol). They do not appear to improve patient outcome and are no longer recommended.^[8]

Antidotes

Some poisons have specific antidotes:

Poison/Drug	Antidote
paracetamol (acetaminophen)	N-acetylcysteine
vitamin K anticoagulants, e.g. warfarin	vitamin K
opioids	naloxone
iron (and other heavy metals)	desferrioxamine, Deferasirox or Deferiprone
benzodiazepines	flumazenil
ethylene glycol	ethanol, fomepizole or Thiamine
methanol	ethanol or fomepizole
cyanide	amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite & sodium thiosulfate
Organophosphates	Atropine & Pralidoxime
Magnesium	Calcium Gluconate
Calcium Channel Blockers (Verapamil, Diltiazem)	Calcium Gluconate
Beta-Blockers (Propranolol, Sotalol)	Calcium Gluconate and/or Glucagon
Isoniazid	Pyridoxine
Atropine	Physostigmine

Enhanced excretion

• In some situations elimination of the poison can be enhanced using diuresis, hemodialysis, hemoperfusion, hyperbaric medicine, peritoneal dialysis, or exchange transfusion.

Further treatment

• In the majority of poisonings the mainstay of management is providing supportive care for the patient, i.e. treating the symptoms rather than the poison.

See also

• Antidote
• Biosecurity
• Food taster
• LD₅₀
• Lethal injection
• List of extremely hazardous substances
• List of fictional toxins
• List of poisonings
• List of poisonous plants
• Toxicity
• Toxicology
• Toxics use reduction
• Venom
• Mr. Yuk

References

1. ^ poison at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
2. ^ Kautilya suggests employing means such as seduction, secret use of weapons, poison etc. S.D. Chamola, Kautilya Arthshastra and the Science of Management: Relevance for the Contemporary Society, p. 40. ISBN 8178711265.
3. ^ Kautilya urged detailed precautions against assassination—tasters for food, elaborate ways to detect poison. "Moderate Machiavelli? Contrasting The Prince with the Arthashastra of Kautilya". Critical Horizons, vol. 3, no. 2 (September 2002). Brill Academic Publishers. ISSN 1440-9917 (Print) 1568-5160 (Online). DOI: 10.1163/156851602760586671.
4. ^ Needham, Joseph (1986). Science and Civilization in China: Volume 5, Part 7. Taipei: Caves Books, Ltd. Page 180.
5. ^ "Position paper: whole bowel irrigation". J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 42 (6): 843–54. 2004. doi:10.1081/CLT-200035932. PMID 15533024. 
6. ^ Vale JA, Kulig K; American Academy of Clinical Toxicology; European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists. (2004). "Position paper: gastric lavage". J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 42 (7): 933–43. doi:10.1081/CLT-200045006. PMID 15641639. 
7. ^ "Position paper: Ipecac syrup". J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 42 (2): 133–43. 2004. PMID 15214617. 
8. ^ Toxicology, American Academy of Clinical (2004). "Position paper: cathartics". J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 42 (3): 243–53. doi:10.1081/CLT-120039801. PMID 15362590. 

External links

• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
• American Association of Poison Control Centers
• American College of Medical Toxicology
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
• Clinical Toxicology Teaching Wiki
• Find Your Local Poison Control Centre Here (Worldwide)
• Poison Prevention and Education Website

v • d • e Poisonings, toxicities, and overdoses (T36-T65, 960-989) (history) Inorganic Metals Toxic metals Lead · Mercury · Cadmium · Silver · Thallium · Tin · Beryllium · Cobalt Dietary minerals Manganese · Copper · Iron · Chromium · Zinc · Selenium Metalloids Arsenic Nonmetals/halogen compounds Fluoride · Chlorine Other Radiation poisoning Organic Phosphorus Pesticides: Organophosphates Nitrogen Cyanide CHO alcohol (Ethanol, Methanol, Ethylene glycol) Carbon monoxide · Oxygen toxicity Pharmaceuticals Drug overdoses nervous system: Salicylate · Paracetamol · Opioids · Benzodiazepines · TCAs · Anticholinesterase cardiovascular system: Digoxin toxicity · Dipyridamole Vitamins Vitamin A · Vitamin D · Vitamin E Biological (including venom, toxin, food poisoning) Fish/seafood Shellfish poisoning (Paralytic shellfish poisoning, Diarrheal shellfish poisoning, Amnesic shellfish poisoning, Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning) · Ciguatera · Ichthyoallyeinotoxism · Scombroid · Haff disease Other vertebrates snake venom (Alpha-Bungarotoxin, Ancrod, Batroxobin) amphibian venom: Batrachotoxin · Bombesin · Bufotenin · Physalaemin birds/quail: Coturnism Arthropods arthropod venom: Bee sting/bee venom (Apamin, Melittin) · spider venom (Latrotoxin/Latrodectism) · scorpion venom (Charybdotoxin) Tick paralysis Poisonous plants/ derivatives Mushroom poisoning · Lathyrism · Ergotism · Strychnine poisoning · Cinchonism  · Locoism (Pea struck)

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Children and adults can be poisoned by medicines and household products, lead, and carbon monoxide.

• Locking away dangerous substances like medicines, vitamins, beauty products, cleaning supplies, and pesticides, even if they are in child-resistant packaging.

• Keeping syrup of ipecac (which is available in drug stores) on hand in case of poisoning. Use it only after instructed to do so by a doctor or poison control center.

If poison is inhaled, open all doors and windows and get the victim into the fresh air as quickly as possible. If the victim has stopped breathing, start artificial respiration.

If poison is on the skin, remove the victim’s clothing and rinse the skin with water for at least 15 minutes and then wash the skin with soap and water and rinse again.

If poison is in the eye, rinse the eye by pouring lukewarm water into the eye for at least 15 minutes, with the victim blinking as often as possible. It is important that the eyelid not be forced open.

If poison is swallowed and the victim is awake, give water—nothing else—and call the poison center or doctor. If instructed to do so by a doctor or poison control personnel, administer syrup of ipecac.

After the emergency actions, call your area’s poison control center:

Alabama
Alabama Poison Center
408-A Paul Bryant Drive
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
800-462-0800 [AL only]; (205) 345-0600
Regional Poison Control Center
The Children’s Hospital of Alabama
1600 - 7th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233-1711
(205) 939-9201; (205) 939-9202; 800-292-6678 [AL only]; (205) 933-4050

Alaska
Anchorage Poison Control Center
3200 Providence Drive
Anchorage, AK 95519-6604
800-478-3193; (907) 261-3193

Arizona
Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center
Arizona Health Sciences Center
1501 N. Campbell Avenue, Rm. 1156
Tucson, AZ 85724
800-362-0101 [AZ only]; (520) 626-6016
Samaritan Regional Poison Center
1111 E. McDowell Road, Ancillary - 1
Phoenix, AZ 85006 (602) 253-3334; 800-362-0101 [AZ only]

Arkansas
Arkansas Poison and Drug Information Center
College of Pharmacy
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4301 West Markham-Slot 522
Little Rock, AR 72205
800-376-4766

California
California Poison Control System, Central Office
University of California, San Francisco
School of Pharmacy, Box 1262
San Francisco, CA 94143
800-876-4766 [All of CA]

Colorado
Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center
8802 E. 9th Avenue
Denver, CO 80220-6800
(303) 629-1123

Connecticut
Connecticut Poison Control Center
University of Connecticut Health Center
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030
800-343-2722 [CT only]; (203) 679-3056

Delaware
The Poison Control Center
3600 Sciences Center, Suite 220
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2641
(215) 386-2100; 800-722-7112

District of Columbia
National Capital Poison Center
3201 New Mexico Avenue, NW, Suite 310
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 625-3333; (202) 362-8563 [TTY]

Florida
Florida Poison Information Center
University Medical Center
University of Florida Health Science Center
655 West 8th Street
Jacksonville, FL 32209
(904) 549-4465; 800-282-3171 [FL only]
Florida Poison Information Center
University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital
1611 NW 12th Avenue
Urgent Care Center Bldg., Rm. 219
Miami, FL 33136
800-282-3171 [FL only]
The Florida Poison Information and Toxicology Resource Center
Tampa General Hospital
P.O. Box 1289
Tampa, FL 33601
(813) 256-4444 [Tampa only]; 800-282-3171 [FL only]

Georgia
Georgia Poison Center
Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital
Grady Health Systems
80 Butler Street, SE
PO Box 26066
Atlanta, GA 30335-3801
800-282-5846 [GA only]; (404) 616-9000

Hawaii
Hawaii Poison Center
1-800-222-1222

Idaho
Idaho Poison Center
3092 Elder Street
Boise, ID 83720-0036
(208) 334-4570; 800-632-8000 [ID only]

Illinois
Illinois Poison Center
222 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60606
800-942-5969

Indiana
Indiana Poison Center
Methodist Hospital of Indiana
I-65 and 21st Street
P.O. Box 1367
Indianapolis, IN 46206-1367
800-382-9097 [IN only]; (317) 929-2323

Iowa
St. Luke’s Poison Center
St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center
2720 Stone Park Boulevard
Sioux City, IA 51104
(712) 277-2222; 800-352-2222
Mid-Iowa Poison and Drug Information Center
Variety Club Poison and Drug Information Center
Iowa Methodist Medical Center
1200 Pleasant Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 241-6254; 800-362-2327 [IA only]
Poison Control Center
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Pharmacy Department
200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242
800-272-6477

Kansas
Mid-America Poison Control Center
University of Kansas Medical Center
3901 Rainbow Blvd., Room B-400
Kansas City, KS 66160-7231
(913) 588-6633; 800-332-6633 [KS only]

Kentucky
Kentucky Regional Poison Center of Kosair Children’s Hospital
Medical Towers South, Suite 572
P.O. Box 35070
Louisville, KY 40232-5070
(502) 589-8222; 800-722-5725 [KY only]

Louisiana
Louisiana Drug and Poison InformationCenter
Northeast Louisiana University
Sugar Hall
Monroe, LA 71209-6430
800-256-9822 [LA only]; (318) 362-5393

Maine
Maine Poison Control Center
Maine Medical Center
Department of Emergency Medicine
22 Bramhall Street
Portland, ME 04102
(207) 871-2950; 800-442-6305 [ME only]

Maryland
Maryland Poison Center
University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
20 N. Pine Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 528-7701; 800-492-2414 [MD only]

Massachusetts
Massachusetts Poison Control System
300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 232-2120; 800-682-9211

Michigan
Blodgett Regional Poison Center
1840 Wealthy SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506-2968
800-POISON1; 800-356-3232 [TTY]
Poison Control Center
Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Harper Professional Office Bldg.
4160 John Road, Suite 425
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 745-5711; 800-764-7661
Marquette General Hospital
420 W. Magnetic Street
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 225-3497; 800-562-9781

Minnesota
Hennepin Regional Poison Center
Hennepin County Medical Center
701 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55415
(612) 347-3141; (612) 337-7387 [Petline]; (612) 337-7474 [TDD]
Minnesota Regional Poison Center
8100 34th Avenue S.
P.O. Box 1309
Minneapolis, MN 55440-1309
(612) 221-2113

Mississippi
Mississippi Regional Poison Control Center
University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39216-4505
(601) 354-7660

Missouri
Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Regional Poison Center
1465 S. Grand Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63104
(314) 772-5200; 800-366-8888; 800-392-9111
Children’s Mercy Hospital
2401 Gillham Road
Kansas City, MO 64108
(816) 234-3430

Montana
Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center
8802 E. 9th Avenue
Denver, CO 80220-6800
(303) 629-1123

Nebraska
The Poison Center
8301 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 390-5555 [Omaha]; 800-955-9119 [NE & WY]

Nevada
Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center
8802 E. 9th Avenue
Denver, CO 80220-6800
(303) 629-1123; 800-332-3073 [COLO WATTS]; 800-525-5042 [MONT WATTS]; 800-446-6179 [NEV WATTS]; (303) 739-1127 [TTY]

New Hampshire
New Hampshire Poison Information Center
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
One Medical Center Drive
Lebanon, NH 03756
(603) 650-8000; (603) 650-5000
[11pm-8am]; 800-562-8236 [NH only]

New Jersey
New Jersey Poison Information and Education System
201 Lyons Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
800-POISON1 [800-764-7661]

New Mexico
New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center
University of New Mexico
Health Sciences Library, Room 125
Albuquerque, NM 87131-1076
(505) 843-2551; 800-432-6866 [NM only]

New York
Central New York Poison Control Center
SUNY Health Science Center
750 E. Adams Street
Syracuse, NY 13210
(315) 476-4766; 800-252-5655
Finger Lakes Regional Poison Center
University of Rochester Medical Center
601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 321, Rm. G-3275
Rochester, NY 14642
(716) 275-5151; 800-333-0542
Hudson Valley Regional Poison Center
Phelps Memorial Hospital Center
701 North Broadway
North Tarrytown, NY 10591
800-336-6997; (914) 366-3030
Long Island Regional Poison Control Center
Winthrop University Hospital
259 First Street
Mineola, NY 11501
(516) 542-2323
New York City Poison Control Center
NYC Department of Health
455 First Avenue, Rm. 123
New York, NY 10016 (212) 340-4494; (212) POISONS; (212) 689-9014 [TDD]
Western New York Regional Poison Control Center
Children’s Hospital of Buffalo
219 Bryant Street
Buffalo, NY 14222
(716) 878-7654, also extensions 7655, 7856, 7857

North Carolina
Carolinas Poison Center
1000 Blythe Boulevard
P.O. Box 32861
Charlotte, NC 28232-2861
(704) 355-4000; 800-84-TOXIN [800-848-6946]
Catawba Memorial Hospital Poison Control Center
Pharmacy Department
810 Fairgrove Church Road
Hickory, NC 28602
(704) 322-6649
Duke Poison Control Center
North Carolina Regional Center
Box 3007
Duke University
Durham, NC 27710
(919) 684-8111; 800-672-1697 [NC only]

Triad Poison Center
1200 N. Elm Street
Greensboro, NC 27401-1020
(910) 574-8105; 800-953-4001 [NC only]

North Dakota
North Dakota Poison Information Center
MeritCare Medical Center
720 4th Street North
Fargo, ND 58122
(701) 234-5575; 800-732-2200 [ND, MN, SD only]

Ohio
Akron Regional Poison Center
1 Perkins Square
Akron, OH 44308
(216) 379-8562; 800-362-9922 [OH only]; (216) 379-8446 [TTY]
Bethesda Poison Control Center
2951 Maple Avenue
Zanesville, OH 43701
(614) 454-4221
Central Ohio Poison Center
700 Children’s Drive
Columbus, OH 43205-2696
(614) 228-1323; 800-682-7625; (614) 228-2272 [TTY]; (614) 461-2012
Cincinnati Drug & Poison Information and Regional Poison Control System
P.O. Box 670144
Cincinnati, OH 45267-0144
(513) 558-5111; 800-872-5111 [OH only]; 800-253-7955 [TTY]
Greater Cleveland Poison Control Center
11100 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44106
(216) 231-4455
Medical College of Ohio Poison and DrugInformation Center
3000 Arlington Avenue
Toledo, OH 43614
(419) 381-3897; 800-589-3897 [419 area code only]
Northeast Ohio Poison Education/Information Center
1320 Timken Mercy Drive NW
Canton, OH 44708
800-456-8662 [OH only]

Oklahoma
Oklahoma Poison Control Center
940 N.E. 13th Street, Rm. 3N118
Oklahoma, OK 73104
(405) 271-5454; 800-522-4611 [OK only]

Oregon
Oregon Poison Center
Oregon Health Sciences University
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, CB550
Portland, OR 97201
(503) 494-8968; 800-452-7165 [OR only]

Pennsylvania
Central Pennsylvania Poison Center
University Hospital
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, PA 17033-0850
800-521-6110; (717) 531-6111
The Poison Control Center
3600 Sciences Center, Suite 220
Philadelphia, PA 19104-2641
(215) 386-2100
Pittsburgh Poison Center
3705 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 681-6669; 800-722-7112

Rhode Island
Rhode Island Poison Center
593 Eddy Street
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 444-5727

South Carolina
Palmetto Poison Center
College of Pharmacy
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 765-7359; 800-922-1117 [SC only]; (706) 724-5050; (803) 777-1117

South Dakota
McKennan Poison Control Center
Box 5045
800 E. 21st Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5045
(605) 336-3894; 800-952-0123; 800-843-0505

Tennessee
Middle Tennessee Poison Center
The Center for Clinical Toxicology
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1161 21st Avenue South
501 Oxford House
Nashville, TN 37232-4632
(615) 936-2034 [local]; 800-288-9999 [regional]; (615) 322-0157 [TDD]

Southern Poison Center, Inc.
847 Monroe Avenue, Suite 230
Memphis, TN 38163
(901) 528-6048; 800-228-9999 [TN only]

Texas
Central Texas Poison Center
Scott & White Memorial Clinic & Hospital
2401 S. 31st Street
Temple, TX 76508
(817) 774-2005; 800-POISON1 [800-764-7661] [TX only]
North Texas Poison Center
Texas Poison Center Network at Parkland Memorial Hospital
5201 Harry Hines Boulevard
P.O. Box 35926
Dallas, TX 75235
800-POISON1 [800-764-7661] [TX only]
South Texas Poison Center
7703 Floyd Curl Drive
San Antonio, TX 78284-7834
800-POISON1 [800-764-7661] [TX only]
Texas Poison Control Network
P.O. Box 1110, 1501 S. Coulter
Amarillo, TX 79175
800-POISON1 [800-764-7661][TX only]
Texas Poison Control Network Southeast Texas Poison Center
The University of Texas Medical Branch
301 University Avenue
Galveston, TX 77555-1175
(409)-765-1420 [Galveston]; (713) 654-1701 [Houston];
800-POISON1 [800-764-7661] [TX only]
West Texas Regional Poison Center
4815 Alameda Avenue
El Paso, TX 79905
800-POISON1 [800-764-7661][TX only]

Utah
Utah Poison Control Center
410 Chipeta Way, Suite 230
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
(801) 581-2151; 800-456-7707 [UT only]

Vermont
Vermont Poison Center
Fletcher Allen Health Care
111 Colchester Avenue
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 658-3456

Virginia
Blue Ridge Poison Center
University of Virginia
Blue Ridge Hospital
Box 67
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(804) 924-5543; 800-451-1428
Virginia Poison Center
401 N. 12th Street
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA 23298-0522
(804) 828-9123 [Richmond]; 800-552-6337 [VA only]

Washington
Washington Poison Center
155 N.E. 100th Street, Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 526-2121; 800-732-6985 [WA only]; (206) 517-2394 [TDD]; (206) 517-2394 [TDD; WA only]

West Virginia
West Virginia Poison Center
3110 MacCorkle Avenue, SE
Charleston, WV 25304
800-642-3625 [WV only]; (304) 348-4211

Wisconsin
Poison Center of Eastern Wisconsin
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
P.O. Box 1997
Milwaukee, WI 53201
(414) 266-2222; 800-815-8855 [WI only]
University of Wisconsin Hospital Regional Poison Center
E5/238 CSC
600 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53792
(608) 262-3702; 800-815-8855 [WI only]

Wyoming
The Poison Center
8301 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68114
(402) 390-5555 [Omaha NE]; 800-955-9119 [NE & WY]

American Association of Poison Control Centers. www.aapcc.org/Kids Health. “U.S. Poison Control Centers,” www.kidshealth.org/parent/firstaid_safe/home/poison_control_center.html
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. “Are Your Children Safe from Poisons?” www.hud.gov/poison.html

Common misspelling(s) of poison

• poisin

Dansk (Danish)
n. - gift
v. tr. - forgifte
adj. - gift-

idioms:

• poison gas    giftgas
• poison ivy    gift-sumak
• poison someone's mind    hviske nogen en djævel i øret
• poison-pen letter    anonymt smædebrev

Nederlands (Dutch)
vergiftigen, bederven, (ver)gif

Français (French)
n. - (lit, fig) poison
v. tr. - empoisonner, mettre du poison dans, polluer, (fig) empoisonner, corrompre
adj. - toxique

idioms:

• poison gas    gaz toxique
• poison ivy    (Bot) sumac vénéneux, (Méd) urticaire (provoqué par le sumac vénéneux)
• poison someone's mind    corrompre l'esprit de qn
• poison-pen letter    lettre anonyme venimeuse

Deutsch (German)
n. - Gift
v. - vergiften, verpesten, ruinieren
adj. - Gift-

idioms:

• poison gas    Giftgas
• poison ivy    Giftefeu, (Bot.) Kletternder Giftsumach
• poison someone's mind    jmdn. korrumpieren
• poison-pen letter    anonymer beleidigender Brief

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - δηλητήριο, φαρμάκι
v. - δηλητηριάζω, φαρμακώνω, μολύνω
adj. - δηλητηριώδης

idioms:

• poison gas    δηλητηριώδες αέριο
• poison ivy    ρους το τοξικόδεντρο
• poison someone's mind    δηλητηριάζω το μυαλό κάποιου
• poison-pen letter    απειλητικό, υβριστικό γράμμα

Italiano (Italian)
avvelenare, intossicare, veleno

idioms:

• poison gas    gas velenoso
• poison ivy    ortica
• poison someone's mind    avvelenare la mente
• poison-pen letter    lettera anonima diffamatoria

Português (Portuguese)
n. - veneno (m)
v. - envenenar, corromper
adj. - venenoso

idioms:

• poison gas    gás venenoso
• poison ivy    sumagre venenoso (Bot.)
• poison someone's mind    corromper, fazer a cabeça
• poison-pen letter    carta envenenada

Русский (Russian)
отравить, яд

idioms:

• poison gas    отравляющий газ
• poison ivy    сумах ядоносный
• poison someone's mind    совратить против
• poison-pen letter    анонимка

Español (Spanish)
n. - veneno, ponzoña
v. tr. - envenenar, intoxicar, emponzoñar, contaminar
adj. - tóxico, venenoso

idioms:

• poison gas    gas tóxico, gas asfixiante
• poison ivy    zumaque venenoso
• poison someone's mind    envenenar la mente de alguien, indisponer a una persona contra otra
• poison-pen letter    carta ofensiva anónima

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - gift
v. - förgifta
adj. - giftig

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
毒药, 毒害, 败坏道德之事, 败坏, 毒杀, 有毒的

idioms:

• poison gas    毒气, 毒瓦斯
• poison ivy    毒葛
• poison someone's mind    毒害某人思想, 使某人产生恶感
• poison-pen letter    黑函, 匿名信

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 毒藥, 毒害, 敗壞道德之事
v. tr. - 毒害, 敗壞, 毒殺
adj. - 有毒的

idioms:

• poison gas    毒氣, 毒瓦斯
• poison ivy    毒葛
• poison someone's mind    毒害某人思想, 使某人產生惡感
• poison-pen letter    黑函, 匿名信

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 독, 폐해
v. tr. - 독살[독해]하다, ~에 독을 넣다, 편견을 품게 하다
adj. - 유독한, 유해한

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 毒, 害になるもの, 害毒
v. - 毒殺する, 毒を入れる, 毒する

idioms:

• poison gas    毒ガス
• poison ivy    ウルシ, うるしかぶれ
• poison someone's mind    人の偏見を植え付ける

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) سم (فعل) يسمم, يدس, السم (صفه) مسمم‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮רעל, ארס, השפעה רעה, עיקרון רע‬
v. tr. - ‮הרעיל, השחית, אילח, זיהם‬
adj. - ‮מרעיל‬

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