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Causes of Poisoning

Lots of substances are poisonous if they are eaten, breathed in or come into contact with the skin or eyes. Many common household substances can be harmful if they are not stored properly or used in the correct way, especially if there are young children around. Accidental poisoning is most common in children under five. Medicines are the most common cause of poisoning in children between two and four years old. 

Poisoning can be caused by:

  • Prescription drugs and medicines;
  • Household and garden chemicals such as weed killer, ant, rat or mouse poison, insect repellents, petrol, methylated spirits, paint and paint stripper;
  • Household cleaning products, such as furniture polish, bleach, dishwashing liquid, and washing machine powder or liquid;
  • Other items found around the house, such as cigarettes, alcohol and batteries in devices such as television remote controls;
  • Some toiletries, such as hair dyes and chemical treatments;
  • Plants and berries found in the garden, such as foxglove and laburnum seeds;
  • Burning rubbish – plastics, treated wood, and old chemical containers release poisonous gasses when they are burnt.

Foods can also cause poisoning if they contain harmful bacteria. This can happen if they have gone mouldy, because of cross contamination (for example, between cooked and raw meat), or have not been cleaned or prepared properly. For further information about food poisoning, please see the separate encyclopaedia topic.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous, odourless gas that is produced by incomplete burning of fuels such as gas, wood or petrol. These types of fuels are used in many household appliances, such as heating systems, fires and cooking appliances. If appliances aren’t regularly serviced and well maintained, carbon dioxide can leak from them without you realising, causing serious symptoms and even death. For further information about carbon monoxide poisoning, see the separate encyclopaedia topic.

Poisoning can also occur if you are bitten or stung. Insects such as bees, wasps and hornets inject a venom (poison) into the skin when they sting us, which can cause pain, swelling and itchiness in the area. Bites from snakes can also contain venom, causing the symptoms of diarrhoea and sickness. How severely you are affected by a poisonous bite or sting depends on the amount of venom injected (ie - the number of times you are bitten), and whether you are allergic to the venom. For further information, see the separate topics on bites, snake and stings, insect.