Everything about Poison totally explained
In the context of
biology,
poisons are
substances that can cause
damage,
illness, or
death to
organisms, usually by
chemical reaction or other
activity on the
molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism. Legally and in hazardous chemical labelling, poisons are especially toxic substances; less toxic substances are labelled "harmful", "irritant", or not labelled at all.
In
medicine (particularly veterinary) and in
zoology, a poison is often distinguished from a
toxin and a
venom. Toxins are poisons produced via some biological function in nature, and venoms are usually defined as biologic toxins that are injected by a bite or sting to cause their effect, while other poisons are generally defined as substances which are absorbed through epithelial linings such as the
skin or gut.
Terminology
Some poisons are also
toxins, usually referring to naturally produced substances, such as the
bacterial
proteins that cause
tetanus and
botulism. A distinction between the two terms isn't always observed, even among scientists.
Animal toxins that are delivered subcutaneously (for example by
sting or
bite) are also called
venom. In normal usage, a poisonous organism is one that's harmful to consume, but a venomous organism uses poison to defend itself while still alive. A single organism can be both venomous and poisonous.
The derivative forms "toxic" and "poisonous" are synonymous.
Within
chemistry and
physics, a poison is a substance that obstructs or inhibits a reaction, for example by binding to a
catalyst. For example, see
nuclear poison.
Paracelsus, the father of
toxicology, once wrote: "Everything is poison, there's poison in everything. Only the dose makes a thing not a poison." The phrase "poison" is often used colloquially to describe any harmful substance, particularly
corrosive substances,
carcinogens,
mutagens,
teratogens and harmful
pollutants, and to exaggerate the dangers of chemicals. The legal definition of "poison" is stricter. A medical condition of poisoning can also be caused by substances that are not legally required to carry the label "poison".
Uses of poison
Poisons are usually not used for their toxicity, but may be used for their other properties. The property of toxicity itself has limited applications: mainly for controlling pests and weeds, and for preserving building materials and food stuffs. Where possible, specific agents which are less poisonous to humans have come to be preferred, but exceptions such as
phosphine continue in use.
Throughout human history, intentional application of poison has been used as a method of
assassination,
murder,
suicide and
execution. As a method of execution, poison has been ingested, as the ancient Athenians did (see
Socrates), inhaled, as with
carbon monoxide or
hydrogen cyanide (see
gas chamber), or injected (see
lethal injection). Many languages describe lethal injection with their corresponding words for "poison shot". Poison was also employed in
gunpowder warfare. For example, the 14th century Chinese text of the
Huo Long Jing written by
Jiao Yu outlined the use of a poisonous gunpowder mixture to fill
cast iron grenade bombs.
Poisonous materials are often used for their chemical or physical properties other than being poisonous. The most effective, easiest, safest, or cheapest option for use in a
chemical synthesis may be a poisonous material. Particularly in experimental laboratory syntheses a specific reactivity is used, despite the toxicity of the reagent.
Chromic acid is an example of such a "simple to use" reagent. Many technical applications call for some specific physical properties; a toxic substance may possess these properties and therefore be superior. Reactivity, in particular, is important.
Hydrogen fluoride (HF), for example, is poisonous and extremely corrosive. However, it has a high
affinity (
free energy) for
silicon, which is exploited by using HF to
etch glass or to manufacture silicon semiconductor chips.
Biological poisoning
Acute poisoning is exposure to a poison on one occasion or during a short period of time. Symptoms develop in close relation to the exposure. Absorption of a poison is necessary for systemic poisoning. In contrast, substances that destroy tissue but don't absorb, such as
lye, are classified as
corrosives rather than poisons.
Chronic poisoning is long-term repeated or continuous exposure to a poison where symptoms don't occur immediately or after each exposure. The patient gradually becomes ill, or becomes ill after a long latent period. Chronic poisoning most commonly occurs following exposure to poisons that
bioaccumulate such as
mercury and
lead.
Contact or absorption of poisons can cause rapid death or impairment. Agents that act on the
nervous system can paralyze in seconds or less, and include both biologically derived
neurotoxins and so-called
nerve gases, which may be synthesized for
warfare or industry.
Inhaled or ingested
cyanide as used as method of
execution on US
gas chambers almost instantly starves the body of energy by
inhibiting the
enzymes in
mitochondria that make
ATP. Intravenous injection of an unnaturally high concentration of
potassium chloride, such as in the execution of prisoners in parts of the United States, quickly stops the
heart by eliminating the
cell potential necessary for
muscle contraction.
Most (but not all) biocides, including
pesticides, are created to act as poisons to
target organisms, although acute or less observable chronic poisoning can also occur in non-target organism, including the
humans who apply the biocides and other
beneficial organisms. For example, the herbicide
2,4-D imitates the action of a plant hormone, to the effect that the lethal toxicity is specific to plants. Indeed, 2,4-D isn't a poison, but classified as "harmful" (EU).
Many substances regarded as poisons are toxic only indirectly, by
toxication. An example is "wood alcohol" or
methanol, which isn't poisonous itself, but is chemically converted to toxic
formaldehyde and
formic acid in the
liver. Many
drug molecules are made toxic in the liver, and the genetic variability of certain liver
enzymes makes the toxicity of many compounds differ between individuals.
The study of the symptoms, mechanisms, treatment and diagnosis of biological poisoning is known as
toxicology.
Exposure to radioactive substances can produce
radiation poisoning, an unrelated phenomenon.
Poisoning management
- Poison Control Centers (In the US reachable at 1-800-222-1222 at all hours) provide immediate, free, and expert treatment advice and assistance over the telephone in case of suspected exposure to poisons or toxic substances.
Initial management
Initial management for all poisonings includes ensuring adequate cardiopulmonary function and providing treatment for any symptoms such as seizures, shock, and pain.
Decontamination
If the toxin was recently ingested, absorption of the substance may be able to be decreased through gastric decontamination. This may be achieved using activated charcoal, gastric lavage, whole bowel irrigation, or nasogastric aspiration. Routine use of emetics (syrup of Ipecac) and cathartics are no longer recommended.
- Activated charcoal is the treatment of choice to prevent absorption of the poison. It is usually administered when the patient is in the emergency room. However, charcoal is ineffective against metals, Na, K, alcohols, glycols, acids, and alkalis.
- Whole bowel irrigation cleanses the bowel, this is achieved by giving the patient large amounts of a polyethylene glycol solution. The osmotically balanced polyethylene glycol solution isn't absorbed into the body, having the effect of flushing out the entire gastrointestinal tract. Its major uses are following ingestion of sustained release drugs, toxins that are not absorbed by activated charcoal (for example lithium, iron), and for the removal of ingested packets of drugs (body packing/smuggling).
- Gastric lavage, commonly known as a stomach pump, is the insertion of a tube into the stomach, followed by administration of water or saline down the tube. The liquid is then removed along with the contents of the stomach. Lavage has been used for many years as a common treatment for poisoned patients. However, a recent review of the procedure in poisonings suggests no benefit. It is still sometimes used if it can be performed within 1 h of ingestion and the exposure is potentially life threatening.
- Nasogastric aspiration involves the placement of a tube via the nose down into the stomach, the stomach contents are then removed via suction. This procedure is mainly used for liquid ingestions where activated charcoal is ineffective, for example ethylene glycol.
- Emesis (for example induced by ipecac) is no longer recommended in poisoning situations.
- Cathartics were postulated to decrease absorption by increasing the expulsion of the poison from the gastrointestinal tract. There are two types of cathartics used in poisoned patients; saline cathartics (sodium sulfate, magnesium citrate, magnesium sulfate) and saccharide cathartics (sorbitol). They don't appear to improve patient outcome and are no longer recommended.
Antidotes
Some poisons have specific antidotes:
Enhanced excretion
In some situations elimination of the poison can be enhanced using diuresis, hemodialysis, hemoperfusion, peritoneal dialysis, or exchange transfusion.
Further treatment
In the majority of poisonings the mainstay of management is providing supportive care for the patient, for example treating the symptoms rather than the poison.Further Information
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