Poisons and Dangerous Chemicals.
Poison and Sources Symptoms Treatment
Benzene, tolulene and xylene:
These substances are present in many commercial solvents and domestic paint removers.

Poisoning may occur after ingestion, or inhalation.

Burning sensation in the mouth leading to vomiting; chest pains; coughing; and dizziness. In later stages, lack of co-ordination; confusion; stupor; and coma.

Death is usually from respiratory or heart failure.

Remove the victim from the source of poisoning.
Carefully remove victims clothing if contaminated.
Arrange for hospitalisation of the victim.
If the victim is unconscious, put in to the recovery position and monitor condition.
If the victim stops breathing, give resuscitation (note the nose is connected to the lungs too if the mouth is damaged or injured. Only as a last resort, use the Holger-Neilson method of resusitation)..
Carbon monoxide:
The most common source of carbon monoxide is car exhaust fumes.

Poisoning may occur following inhalation.

The victim may be overactive. There may also be a mild headache; irritability; fatigue; vomiting; confusion; lack of co-ordination; transient fainting fits with convulsions; and incontinence.

Death is usually from respiratory failure.

Remove the victim from the source of poisoning.
Arrange for hospitalisation of the victim.
If the victim is unconscious, put into the recovery position and monitor condition.
If the victim stops breathing, give resuscitation.
Carbon tetrachloride:
Carbon tetrachloride is present in many solvents used for removing grease and was, and may still be, used in car fire-extinguishers.

Poisoning may occur following inhalation or ingestion.

There may be vomiting; headache; dizziness; confusion; convulsions; difficulty in breathing; and coma.

Death is usually from respiratory or heart failure.

Remove victim from the source of poisoning.
Carefully remove the victims clothing if it is contaminated.
Arrange for hospitalisation of the victim.
If the victim is unconscious, put into the recovery position and monitor condition.
If the victim stops breathing, give resuscitation.
If the victims heart stops, apply heart massage.
Chlorate compounds:
Chlorate compounds occur in some mouthwashes and weedkillers.

Poisoning may occur following ingestion.

There may be vomiting; diarrhoea; blood in the urine; jaundice; delerium; convulsions; and coma.

Death is usually from kidney failure.

Arrange for hospitalisation of the victim.
If the victim is conscious, give large drinks of water.
if the victim is unconscious, put into the recovery position and monitor condition.
If the victim stops breathing, give resuscitation.
Corrosives:
Strong acids, such as battery acid; strong alkalis such as caustic soda; strong antiseptics; and tincture of iodine.

Poisoning may occur following ingestion.

There may be burns around the lips and mouth; intense pain in the mouth, throat and stomach; vomiting, sometimes with blood; shock;and difficulty in breathing.

Death is usually from respiratory failure.

Arrange for hospitalisation of the victim.
If the corrosive has been spilled on the skin, place the affected area under running water for at least ten minutes then treat the injury as an ordinary burn.
If the victim is conscious, give small drinks of water.
If the victim is unconscious, put into the recovery position.
If the victim stops breathing, give resuscitation.
Metaldehyde:
Metaldehyde is present in slug and snail poison.

Poisoning may occur following ingestion

There may be nausea, vomiting; exaggerated reflexes; convulsions; and difficulty in breathing.

Death is usually from circulatory failure.

Arrange for hospitalisation of the victim.
If the victim is conscious, induce vomiting.
I the victim is unconscious, put into the recovery position and monitor condition.
If the victim stops breathing, give resuscitation.
If the victims heart stops, apply heart massage.
Napthalene:
Napthalene is present in mothballs and air freshners.

Poisoning may occur following ingestion.

There may be abdominal pain; vomiting; diarrhoea; difficulty in breathing; delirium; convulsions; and coma.

Death is usually from liver or kidney failure.

Arrange for hospitalisation of the victim.
If the victim is conscious, give sodium bicarbonate in water.
If the victim is unconscious, put into the recovery position and monitor condition.
If the patient stops breathing, give resuscitation.
Organophosphorus compounds:
These substances are present in many insecticides

Poisoning may occur following ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin.

There may be increased salivation; vomiting; abdominal pain; diarrhoea; pinpoint pupils; difficulty in breathing; convulsions; and coma.

Death is usually from respiratory failure.

Carefully remove all the victim's contaminated clothing;
Arrange for hospitalisation of the victim.
If the victim is conscious, induce vomiting
If the victim is unconscious, put the victim into the recovery position and monitor condition.
If the victim stops breathing, give resuscitation.
Oxalic acid:
Oxalic acid is present in some bleaches, metal cleaners and stain removers.

Poisoning may occur following ingestion.

There may be pain in the mouth; vomiting; thirst; twitching; convulsions; and coma.

Death is usually from heart failure.

Arrange for hospitalisation of the victim.
If the victim is conscious, give Milk of Magnesia, or ordinary milk to drink.
If the victim is unconscious, put into the recovery position and monitor condition.
If the victims heart stops, apply heart massage.
Paraffin and petroleum distillates:
These substances are present in many domestic cleaning fluids, paint thinners and polishes.

Poisoning may occur following ingestion or inhalation.

Mild poisoning may produce a state similar to drunkenness. Severe poisoning may cause pain in the mouth, throat and stomach; vomiting; diarrhoea; headache; blurred vision; agitation; lack of co-ordination; delirium; convulsions; and coma.

Death is usually from respiratory failure.

Remove the victim from the source of poisoning.
Carefully remove all the victim's contaminated clothing;
Arrange for hospitalisation of the victim.
If the victim is unconscious, put the victim into the recovery position and monitor condition.
If the victim stops breathing, give resuscitation.
Phenol and cresol:
These substances are present in many strong antiseptics.

Poisoning may occur following ingestion, inhalation or absorption through the skin.

In inhaled or absorbed there may be difficulty in breathing and unconsciousness. If ingested, there may also be burning of the mouth and throat and vomiting.

Death is usually from respiratory failure.

Remove the victim from the source of poisoning.
Carefully remove all the victim's contaminated clothing;
Arrange for hospitalisation of the victim.
If the victim is unconscious, put the victim into the recovery position and monitor condition.
If the victim stops breathing, give resuscitation.
Phosphorus:
Phosphorus is present in some rat poisons.

Poisoning usually occurs following ingestion.

There may be burning of the mouth; a smell of garlic on the breath; vomiting; diarrhorea; delirium; and coma.

Death is usually from respiratory or heart failure.

Arrange for hospitalisation of the victim.
If the victim is unconscious, put the victim into the recovery position and monitor condition.
If the victim stops breathing, give resuscitation.
Sodium hypochlorite:
Sodium hydrochlorite is present in domestic bleach

Poisoning may occur following ingestion.

There may be vomiting: pain and inflammation of the mouth and throat; difficulty in breathing; delirium; and coma.

Death is usually from respiratory or heart failure.

Arrange for hospitalisation of the victim.
If the victim is unconscious, put the victim into the recovery position and monitor condition.
If the victim stops breathing, give resuscitation.

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