COMMON HOUSEHOLD POISONS Ms Achala Vithanage Research Officer National Poisons and Drug Information Centre

TOXIC SUBSTANCES Any chemical / mixture that may be harmful to the environment and to human health if inhaled swallowed or absorbed through skin. Any chemical / mixture that may be harmful to the environment and to human health if inhaled swallowed or absorbed through skin. These toxic substance contained in everyday household products. These toxic substance contained in everyday household products. Poisoning due to household substances is usually mild. Poisoning due to household substances is usually mild.

TOXIC SUBSTANCES Prompt recognition & early treatment is important. Prompt recognition & early treatment is important. Implementation of preventive measures is essential. Implementation of preventive measures is essential. Drugs and household cleaners are the most reported cases of poisoning. Drugs and household cleaners are the most reported cases of poisoning. Easy availability of household product makes them one of the leading causes of poisoning. Easy availability of household product makes them one of the leading causes of poisoning.

POISONING DUE TO NON MEDICINAL AGENTS Poisoning due to household products is a common hospital admission. Annually there are about 15,000-19,000 admissions and more than 270 deaths in state hospitals. Poisoning due to household products is a common hospital admission. Annually there are about 15,000-19,000 admissions and more than 270 deaths in state hospitals.

POISONING DUE TO NONMEDICINAL AGENTS YearAdmissionDeath

VICTIMS Usually under the age of five, majority were toddlers between the age of 1-3 years. Usually under the age of five, majority were toddlers between the age of 1-3 years. These incidence are preventable emergencies. These incidence are preventable emergencies. NPIC (Sri Lanka) 20 years experience: NPIC (Sri Lanka) 20 years experience: Age distribution showed that 20% of enquiries were for children less than 5 years. Age distribution showed that 20% of enquiries were for children less than 5 years. Utilization of the services of NPIC shows that accidental poisoning in children is a major concern. Utilization of the services of NPIC shows that accidental poisoning in children is a major concern.

Acute childhood poisoning (Sri Lankan experience – Study period June ) Type of poison No No Household product 1026 Drugs612 Poisonous plants 160 Agrochemicals127 Miscellaneous75 Total1442

Commonly used harmful household products Cleaners: Cleaners: Used to remove dirt mostly contains fragrance, surfactants & pesticides. Used to remove dirt mostly contains fragrance, surfactants & pesticides. Surfactants remove dirt & pesticides kill germ like bacteria and viruses. Surfactants remove dirt & pesticides kill germ like bacteria and viruses. Glass cleaners – Ammonia, Isopropanol Glass cleaners – Ammonia, Isopropanol Dish washers – Cationic, anionic or nonionic detergents Dish washers – Cationic, anionic or nonionic detergents Oven cleaners – Lye (Na/K hydroxide) Oven cleaners – Lye (Na/K hydroxide) All purpose cleaners – Ethylene glycol, Na hyperchlorite All purpose cleaners – Ethylene glycol, Na hyperchlorite

Commonly used harmful household products Rust removers: Rust removers: Mold and rust are kind of funguses. Mold and rust are kind of funguses. Pesticide chemicals found in these products are chlorine, alkyl ammonium chloride. Pesticide chemicals found in these products are chlorine, alkyl ammonium chloride. Very caustic and corrosive. Very caustic and corrosive.

Commonly used harmful household products Bleaches/Disinfactants: Bleaches/Disinfactants: Used to kill germs Used to kill germs Depending on the specific product usually do not cause serious harm if a small amount is swallowed. Depending on the specific product usually do not cause serious harm if a small amount is swallowed. Average amount may cause serious poisoning and even death. Average amount may cause serious poisoning and even death. Germicide chemical-acids, alkalis, pine oil, phenol, chlorophenol etc. Germicide chemical-acids, alkalis, pine oil, phenol, chlorophenol etc.

Commonly used harmful household products Combination disinfectants are more toxic. Combination disinfectants are more toxic. E.g.: Pine oil + Phenol E.g.: Pine oil + Phenol

Commonly used harmful household products Petroleum products are hydrocarbons: Petroleum products are hydrocarbons: Commonly used household hydrocarbons are: kerosene, petrol, thinner – fatal poisoning is rare always cause lung damage. Commonly used household hydrocarbons are: kerosene, petrol, thinner – fatal poisoning is rare always cause lung damage. Turpentine – Pines and camphines Break fluid, car coolant, antifreezer ethylene glycol, highly toxic – damage to heart, kidney & brain can cause death.

Commonly used harmful household products Paints/Polishes Paints/Polishes Paints: Paints: Water base - mostly used for indoors. Main solvent is water Oil base – mineral spirit and other petroleum distillate. Used for out doors.  Polishes: Furniture polishes & metal cleaners – petroleum distillate.

Commonly used harmful household products Laundry detergents: Used to clean stains and loosen dirt from the household laundry. Laundry detergents: Used to clean stains and loosen dirt from the household laundry. These are responsible for many household poisoning by intentional and accidental swallowing. These are responsible for many household poisoning by intentional and accidental swallowing. Contains cleaning agents with cationic, anionic or nonionic detergents. E.g.Prinso Contains cleaning agents with cationic, anionic or nonionic detergents. E.g.Prinso

Commonly used harmful household products Prinso: Prinso: Prinso is an emerging fatal self poisoning in Sri Lanka (E.g. Southern Sri Lanka) Prinso is an emerging fatal self poisoning in Sri Lanka (E.g. Southern Sri Lanka) 1.2g KMNO g Oxalic Acid 1.2g KMNO g Oxalic Acid

Commonly used harmful household products Batteries: Batteries: 1. Dry cell – Carbon + Heavy metal 2. Wet cell – used for vehicles, lead and battery acid(H 2 SO 4 ) 3. Button/Disk battery single cell batteries used as an energy source for digital watches, calculators, cameras etc.

Commonly used harmful household products Button & Disk Batteries: 4. Contains heavy metals and potassium oxide solution. 5. If swallowed – majority no symptoms passed intact with faeces. 6. If impacted in oesophagus – fever, dysphasia, vomiting and anorexia. 7. Tissue damage cause by flow of electric current, potentially fatal.

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