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There are quite a few dangerous substances that can be found around the household. Children are especially at risk. First, a mini spiel about medications.
Medications
Prescription medications are only given by prescriptions for a reason. They should only be used by those who really need the medication.
That does not mean that over-the-counter (OTC) medications are safer than prescription medications. In fact, the maximum daily dose of acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol (commonly used for all types of pain), was recently lowered to 3,000 mg due to the possibility of liver damage. Acetaminophen is also an ingredient in several combination products. Make sure you know all the active ingredients in any OTC products you plan to use.
Alcohols
I will not be discussing poisoning of the ethanol type of alcohol, which you might know better as beer or wine or other liquor, except to say, "Know how much you can handle!"
Whether the medication is prescription or OTC, be sure to know the dose. Pill organizers can be helpful reminders of how many doses you have taken. Most medications should be stored on a cool, dry place. Others must be refrigerated or kept away from sunlight. The majority of medications come with safety caps, but it is still a good idea to store medications out of the reach of children. The brightly colored pills look a lot like candy. Always check you medicine cabinet for expired or unwanted medications and know how to dispose of them properly!
Isopropyl alcohol is the least problematic out of all the alcohols, but it does irritate mucus membranes. It is found in antifreeze, frost removal, rubbing alcohol, cleaners, and acne products. Isopropyl alcohol is rapidly absorbed by the intestines. There is minimal skin absorption unless the contact is prolonged. This is usually not an issue except during a sponge bath for babies, who have extremely permeable skin. The liver converts most of the isopropyl alcohol to acetone. Someone who has ingested isopropyl alcohol will have breath that smells like nail polish remover.
Methanol can be found in some homemade alcohol attempts. It is also in antifreeze and windshield wiper fluid. The sterno cans that are used to heat up catered buffets contain wax as well as methanol. It is also a component of shellacs, paint remover, and varnish. Methanol is absorbed through intestines, skin, and lungs. It concentrates in the eye and can lead to blindness. The toxic metabolites are formaldehyde and formic acid. Just one tablespoon of methanol can be fatal. One of the treatment options for methanol is alcohol! That's right, ethanol binds more tightly to the enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase, that metabolizes all alcohols than methanol. Fomepizole also binds more tightly to alcohol dehydrogenase than methanol. Folic acid is necessary for the oxidation of formic acid.
Ethylene glycol poisoning has a unique presentation. The individual will have central nervous system depression similar to alcohol, but no ethanol odor on the breath. Ethylene glycol is highly water soluble and found in antifreeze and coolant. It is only absorbed orally, not through the skin or lungs. The toxic metabolites are oxalate and glycolic acid. Like methanol, ethanol and fomepizole are used as treatment. Fomepizole was originally created to treat ethylene glycol toxicity. Pyroxine and thiamine are given to victims to shift the metabolism away from oxalate, the substance that is damaging to the heart and the kidney.
Caustics
The management for both types of caustics is similar. Maintenance of the airway is key. It may even be necessary to intubate the victim. Inducing vomiting is not recommended. It would expose tissues to the caustic again. Avoid neutralization! The gas formed from the neutralization reaction may cause further damage. Dilution with water or milk may be useful, but only within minutes of ingestion.
Caustic substances are the acids and bases. You will know if you accidentally ingest or touch a caustic, since there is severe pain at the point of contact. Injury is due to the body's attempt to neutralize the offending agent. Neutralization releases heat and leads to burns. Ingestion of caustics can lead to strictures. A stricture is the narrowing of the esophagus due to scar formation.
Acids leave a mass of dead cells that is white in color. Inflammation is present and the stomach is typically affected. Hydrofluoric acid is found in rust removal products and brick cleaners. It can be inhaled and also goes through the skin. Hydrofluoric acid is treated with calcium gluconate. Be careful because there are other calcium preparations available!
Bases, or alkalis, saponify tissues. They turn triglycerides in the body into soap. Sodium hydroxide is a strong base. It is in drain cleaner and lye. Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite, which rarely causes injury. Household preparations contain 3-15% sodium hypochlorite.
Hydrocarbons
Tar or asphalt is a hot mixture of hydrocarbons. It hardens quickly on the skin. Tar must be removed fully. If it gets on the skin, immediately cool the area. Some dissolving agents available are mineral oil, petroleum jelly, and antibacterial ointments.
Hydrocarbons are made up of only hydrogen and carbon. They can be found all over the house. They are the major component in gasoline and kerosene, which power some stoves. Hydrocarbons are also in solvents, cleaning supplies, and white out. They can be absorbed through the skin or by inhalation.
Painter's Syndrome is a chronic condition. It develops through repeated exposure to toulene. The effects may not be reversible, even after years of avoiding toulene. It is important to use paint and other products that have toulene in well-ventilated areas.
Camphor
Camphor has a distinct smell. It is even used as aromatherapy as a chest rub (Vicks VapoRub) to help suppress cough. However, camphor should never be ingested. Camphor is also in moth balls, which are accidentally eaten by small children. If large doses are ingested, camphor can cause seizures. Other psychiatric manifestations include hallucinations, anxiety, and agitation. The treatment is mainly supportive. Benzodiazepines can be used to treat seizures.
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