The products you use for cleaning, laundry, dish washing, gardening, and many other household tasks can contain ingredients that can harm you, your family, and the environment. These include
- Oven and drain cleaners
- Laundry powder
- Floor polish
- Paint thinners, strippers and removers
- Pesticides
- Grease and rust removers
- Motor oil and fuel additives
- Arts and craft supplies
Toxic substances in these products can cause harm if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. People respond to toxic substances in different ways. At high doses a toxic substance might cause birth defects or other serious problems, including brain damage or death.
Symptoms of chemical poisoning vary according to the age of the person, the amount ingest, and the type of poison. Symptoms may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bluish lips
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Double vision
- Drowsiness
- Fever
- Headache
- Heart palpitations
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of bladder control
- Muscle twitching
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness and tingling
- Seizures
- Skin rash or burns
- Unconsciousness
- Unusual breath odor
- Weakness
If at all possible, locate the bottle from which the chemical came and read the warning label. Different types of poisoning require different treatments. In some cases you should induce vomiting to remove the chemical from the body, and in other cases you should NOT induce vomiting. DO NOT GIVE ANYTHING BY MOUTH to a victim of accidental poisoning unless directed to do so by the poison control center.
We also offer a free certificate of completion. To receive the certificate you must pass a 50-question test with a score of 70 or higher. Check our Basic First Aid Certificate of Completion page for more information.