What is a Poison?
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A poison is any substance that may cause harm or illness to a person because of its chemical action to the body. There can be many different routes of exposure. The most common include:
- Swallowing
- Splashing on the skin or in the eyes
- Inhaling
A substance may be harmful or poisonous if taken the wrong way, by the wrong person or in the wrong amount. Poisons cause a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from a mild reaction to a serious illness or possible death.
Examples of common household poisons:
- Medicine (e.g. prescriptions, over-the-counter, herbal remedies)
- Household cleaners (e.g. all purpose cleaners, bleach, detergents)
- Car products (e.g. windshield washer fluid, antifreeze, gasoline, oil)
- Personal care products (e.g. cosmetics, nail polish remover, hair spray, mouthwash)
- Plants
- Alcohol
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Tip: Medication containers
Moving products out of their original containers is a common cause of poisoning in adults and children.
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What is a Poison?