Children are susceptible to poisoning when they are uneducated on the dangers of using or consuming goods that are not meant for little bodies. Adults can be poisoned by errant chemical combinations, using household products incorrectly, overdosing, and taking the wrong medication.
Common sources of poisoning:
- Drugs: prescription, non-prescription, herbal, illegal, or animal medicines
- Cleaning products that cause burns: drain opener, toilet bowl cleaner, oven cleaner, rust remover
- Carbon monoxide gas: leaky furnaces and chimneys, gas stoves and water heaters, generators and space heaters used indoors
- Auto fluids: antifreeze, windshield washer solution
- Hydrocarbons: furniture polish, lighter fluid, lamp oil, gasoline, paint thinner, kerosene, turpentine
- Pesticides: (weed killers, ant and roach killers, mouse and rat poisons, garden chemicals
- Wild mushrooms
Toxicologist and emergency physician, Dr. Paul Kolecki, discusses poison prevention.
Dr. Paul Kolecki is board certified in emergency medicine and medical toxicology. He is an associate professor for the Dept. of Emergency Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He is also a consultant for the Philadelphia Poison Control Center.