Poisoning

Contrary to urban legends and the warnings of mothers everywhere, using the palm of your hand as a notepad doesn't put you at risk of ink poisoning. Bottled ink, such as that used in fountain...

Salmonella bacteria are often found in undercooked or raw poultry, eggs, meat, and even water. In some rare instances salmonella can also be found on pets, especially turtles. Handling pets that...

A bacterium named Clostridium botulinum produces the extremely poisonous toxin that causes the rare yet potentially fatal medical condition called botulism. The National Institutes of Health...

It happens day in - day out. The first thing many people reach for is a sugar substitute because you've been told it's good for you, and would save you from the "evils of real sugar,"...

Nearly everyone has been exposed to mercury in seafood, on the job or from medical or dental procedures. All forms of mercury have toxic effects on the nervous system. Mercury poisoning can have...

Mercury levels in seafood has received a lot of attention in recent years. And, while we typically think of heavy metals like copper, lead and nickel as the building blocks of everyday items,...

Activated charcoal is administerd when someone is poisoned. Drug3k.com explains that the charcoal helps to absorb the poison and carry it out of the body. It may also be used to treat gas,...

The odor of rotten shrimp can leave an area smelling unclean, unsanitized and unpleasant. The fishy smell can be potent and overpowering, making a person want to avoid an area completely. These...

Methylmercury is a form of inorganic mercury capable of causing severe damage to various organ systems. While all fish contain traces of methylmercury, large fish such as tuna, swordfish and...

Dimercaptopropane sulfonate, or DMPS, is used to treat individuals who have been poisoned by heavy metals. It has been used for the treatment of metal intoxication since the 1960s, and is...

Also called crystal violet and Pyoctaninum caeruleum, gentian violet is a dye made from coal tar. Despite its use to potentially fight infections and bacteria, gentian violet poses several risks...

When food is prepared improperly, it can contain harmful organisms that cause considerable distress to the human body. Food poisoning can arise from the harvesting and processing of ingredients,...

Air fresheners come in sprays and in solid form that resemble gelatin. For this reason, they can be particularly attractive to children. The fragrance of solid air fresheners can also attract pets.

A caladium, also known as angels' wings or elephant ears, is a very beautiful colorful plant which may be purchased for the home or used in landscaping. Unfortunately, it is very poisonous and...

Antifreeze, a combination of water, ethylene glycol and other chemicals, is used in all types of vehicles to prevent radiator fluid from boiling over on hot days and freezing on cold days....

Chronic poisoning is exposure to a toxic substance over a prolonged period of time. Individuals exposed in this manner do not suffer from the same the same symptoms as people with acute poisoning....

Drain cleaner, though useful in the home, contains dangerous chemicals that are hazardous if swallowed or inhaled. It is important to know the symptoms of drain cleaner poisoning.

Arsenic exposure occurs mostly in areas with high natural levels of arsenic, in factories and workplaces where it is a by-product, or in or around hazardous waste locations. The symptoms of...

A radiation photograph, such as an X-ray picture of a patient's body, is often used to help diagnose a patient's condition without using other, more intrusive methods such as a biopsy. Though...

Mold spores are present in virtually every environment, both indoors and out. While simple and microscopic, mold is a fungus that is not only unwelcome for sanitary purposes, but because it is...

Silica gel is a highly absorbent material made from sodium silicate. Typically sold in granular form or in pre-sealed packets, silica gel is used to absorb moisture or vapor from consumer...

Mercury is a common chemical element, and low levels of mercury are normal in human tissue. When released through industrial processes, the local concentrations of mercury can rise to dangerous...

Most eye drops are harmless if swallowed, but some may actually be harmful, even fatal. Eye drops are not intended to be ingested, and it's best to avoid ingesting any medication that is intended...

Though Boston Ivy is deemed by many as aesthetically pleasing and can reduce cooling costs by shading the outside of a building, it can also be dangerous if handled the wrong way. Ingesting the...

Aspartame is a low calorie sweetener found in many diet foods and beverages. According to the Aspartame Information Service, it is 180 to 200 times sweeter than traditional sugar. Therefore,...

Salmonella is a bacterium that affects an individual's intestinal tract. The symptoms of salmonella food poisoning normally appear within eight to 12 hours after the consumption of the...

Clostridium is a genus, a large group of bacteria that form endospores and have fermentative metabolisms. They are found in nearly all anaerobic environments. Anaerobic means that oxygen is not...

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that can be harmful to your intestines. The most common causes of salmonella poisoning are contaminated water, contaminated surfaces and undercooked foods, such...

Vitamin D toxicity is also known as hypervitaminosis, and it is a condition that occurs after taking excessive amounts of vitamin D. Symptoms of vitamin D toxicity are constipation, fatigue,...

Iron is vital for living cells. It is required for oxygen transport, electron transport, DNA synthesis and cytochrome P-450 enzyme oxidative metabolism. However, sometimes the body may have an...

Normally, ink poisoning isn't considered likely. More commonly, ink may cause irritation. Ink poisoning occurs and treatment is needed when a person swallows more than one ounce of ink. Ink...

Salmonella is a bacteria that is one of the most frequently reported causes of food-borne illness. Humans usually are infected by salmonella by eating foods such as beef, milk, eggs, lettuce and...

When taking medication, one of the most important things to check is the warning on the label. In the case of Tylenol, there is a clear warning to avoid alcohol while taking the medication because...

Insecticides are chemicals used to kill insects. Insecticide poisoning happens when a person inhales or consumes the chemicals. The symptoms of poisoning tend to vary depending on the level of...

Poison ivy and poison oak are serious skin rashes that usually are associated with outdoor summer activities. These aggravating plants can also afflict you during other seasons. Between the...

The symptoms of human poisoning vary widely, depending on the specific type of toxic substance that has been consumed or inhaled. Medical professionals can best treat cases of poisoning if they...

Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person's blood alcohol content is about 25 percent or higher, which translates to approximately seven or more drinks in an hour for a 120-pound woman, or around 10...

Hypercapnia, or a high level of carbon dioxide in the blood, is a serious medical condition that can result in permanent damage to internal organs or result in death if not treated appropriately...

DMSO comes in many forms, including gel, liquid, roll-on and mixed with other ingredients such as aloe. Many DMSO products are not labeled as approved for humans and may have impurities. Rimso-50...

Vitamin D is necessary for humans to be healthy, but too much can cause toxicity. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research advises that following guidelines for vitamin supplements,...

It's something of a paradox, but the oxygen that we need to sustain life can be extremely toxic when inhaled at higher concentrations. Oxygen makes up just over 20 percent of the air that you...

Most cases of nicotine poisoning are not due to smoking, but are instead due to ingestion or skin exposure. Anyone exposed to or using nicotine should be aware of the symptoms of nicotine...

Syrup of ipecac has a long history as a treatment for poisoning in children and adults. The syrup works by inducing vomiting, generally within 30 minutes of ingestion. Ipecac is derived from a...

Salmonella is a intestinal condition that is caused by bacteria. Humans may get sick from Salmonella after consuming contaminated food or water. Salmonella infections are characterized by fever,...

Nicotine overdose is the result of overexposure to nicotine, usually from ingestion or skin contact. Nicotine can be especially toxic to children. Liquid preparations containing nicotine are very...

Ammonia is a chemical compound that is primarily used as a strong cleaning agent in many cleaning products. At standard temperature and air pressure, ammonia gives off a gas than can be toxic....

Caffeine poses a danger to children and adults of all ages. Too much caffeine can accelerate heart rates, cause seizures and eventually result in death. Children are especially prone to caffeine...

Odorless methane gas is produced from some simple situations that are commonly found around your home. Potting soil in a plastic bag, rotting food in your kitchen and sewage drainage problems are...

Agent Orange is a toxic chemical that was sprayed from aircraft by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War as a weapon of herbicidal warfare. Named after the orange containers it was stored in,...

Methyl mercury is an exceptionally deadly form of mercury found in fish. It is easily distributed throughout the food chain, causing permanent health problems and birth defects in humans.