Poisons and Some hazardous chemicals are substances that cause harm when you ingest them, breathe them in or they come into contact with your skin or eyes. Even if you are extremely careful and make sure your chemicals are stored out of reach, exposure can still happen. If it does, your national poison centre is there to help you and a trained First Aid Responder should be at hand to treat the casualty.
INFORMATION EMERGENCY PERSONNEL SHOULD KNOW
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF CHEMICAL POISONING/OVER EXPOSURE
Dizziness
Nauseousness
Headache
Pale in colour
Vomiting
Skin Irritation
Eye Discomfort
TREATMENT – CHEMICAL INHALATION
Remove the person into fresh air
Keep the casualty sitting upright and loosen any tight clothing around the neck, and chest.
If the casualty goes unconscious put them into the recovery position
Call for medical assistance
TREATMENT – CHEMICAL BURNS
Reassure the casualty and call a First Aid Responder.
Flush out the area with clean running water for 15/20 minutes
Dress with water gel dressing
Seek medical attention
TREATMENT – EYES
Reassure the casualty and call for a First Aid Responder
Either sit or lie the casualty down
Tilt the eye to the injured side
Open the eyelids
Flush with water for 15/20 minutes being careful not to contaminate the uninjured eye.
Cover the eye with a patch
Seek immediate medical attention
TREATMENT – CHEMICAL INGESTION
Requires URGENT medical attention
Keep the person sitting upright
If unconscious put in the recovery position
Loosen any tight clothing around the chest
Seek urgent medical attention
Do not give anything to eat or drink
Do not Induce vomiting only if told to do so by the Poison Control centre or a Medical professional
Poisons
A poison is a toxin or substance when taken into the body in sufficient quantity, can cause temporary or permanent damage.
How poisons enter the body
Absorption
Through the skin
Cuts, abrasions
Inhalation
Gases
Fumes
Ingestion
Eating or drinking
Injection
Needle / drugs
Signs & Symptoms
Nausea
Vomiting
Pain
Breathing difficulties
Seizure
Confusion
Unconsciousness
Treatment
Scene safety
Call 999/112
Identify source of poison
For inhalation poisoning, move patient to fresh air
For absorption poisoning, remove contaminated clothing and rinse the affected area
Do not induce vomiting as this may cause further damage
Check AVPU
Recovery position if necessary and if unconscious
Prepare to resuscitate if necessary
Poisons Centre
National Poisons Information Centre,
Beaumont Hospital,
Dublin
01 809 2166
24 Hour Service www.poisons.ie