Poison

By: Alternix

Definition and Types of Poison

A poison is any chemical substance that is harmful or lethal to living organisms.
Poisoning can be accidental or deliberate, depending on the circumstances and the presence of living things.
In biology, a poison causes death, injury, or harm to organisms or their parts.
In medicine, poisons are toxins that are delivered passively, not actively.
Poisons can be introduced into the environment and cause unwanted effects elsewhere.
Poisons are substances that cause harm when swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.
Toxins and venoms are types of poisons produced by organisms in nature.
Venoms are actively delivered through bites or stings, while poisons are passively delivered.
Toxins and venoms can cause death, injury, or harm to organs, tissues, cells, and DNA.
The delivery method of the toxin distinguishes venom from poison.

Many industries, agriculture, and other sectors use poisonous substances for various purposes.
Poisonous substances are used in feedstocks, solvents, cleaners, coatings, and more.
Some poisons have economic value for agricultural purposes like weed and pest control.
Hazardous substances regulations govern the production, procurement, and use of poisonous compounds.
Pesticides are examples of substances designed to be toxic to pests like insects and rodents.
Poisons can enter the food chain and become concentrated in predatory organisms.
Some poisons can enter the body through the skin, lungs, or faulty medical implants.
Chemical contamination is often irreversible, requiring specific processes for removal.
Bioaccumulation of agricultural insecticides affects species that consume insects.
Selective toxicity, controlled application, and controlled biodegradation are challenges in pesticide development.
Pollution refers to the widespread dispersion of poisons in the environment.
Pollution can be of human origin or caused by unwanted biological processes.
Radiological poisons are associated with ionizing radiation and have distinct toxicity.
Radon is a natural radiological poison that can accumulate in enclosed structures.
Ecology and environmental resource management study the life cycle and effects of toxic compounds.

Poisoning can be acute or chronic, caused by natural or synthetic substances.
Corrosives, like lye, are classified separately as they destroy tissue but do not absorb into the body.
Acute poisoning occurs from a single exposure or short period of time, with symptoms developing soon after.
Chronic poisoning occurs from repeated or continuous exposure to a poison, with symptoms appearing gradually.
Bioaccumulation or biomagnification can lead to chronic poisoning with substances like mercury, gadolinium, and lead.
Initial management for all poisonings includes ensuring cardiopulmonary function and treating symptoms.
Injected poisons can be treated by applying pressure bandages and immersing the affected body part in hot water.
Supportive care is the mainstay of management, focusing on treating symptoms rather than the poison.
Gastric decontamination techniques may be used to decrease absorption of ingested poisons.
Activated charcoal is the treatment of choice to prevent poison absorption, but it is ineffective against certain substances.

Cathartics (sorbitol) are no longer recommended as they do not improve patient outcome.
Emesis (induced by ipecac) is ineffective at removing poisons and is no longer recommended.
Gastric lavage, commonly known as a stomach pump, has been used as a treatment for poisoned patients but recent reviews suggest no benefit.
Nasogastric aspiration is used for liquid ingestions where activated charcoal is ineffective.
Whole bowel irrigation is used to cleanse the bowel and remove ingested drug packets or sustained-release drugs.
Diuresis, hemodialysis, hemoperfusion, hyperbaric medicine, peritoneal dialysis, exchange transfusion, and chelation can enhance the elimination of poison.

Throughout history, poison has been used for murder, pest-control, suicide, and execution.
Methods of administration include ingestion, inhalation, injection, and even as an enema.
Poison has been used in warfare and as a method of royal assassination.
Arsenic, once nicknamed 'inheritance powder,' is an example of a naturally occurring environmental poison.
Personal food tasters were employed in Medieval Europe to prevent royal assassination.
The term 'poison' is used figuratively, such as referring to alcoholic drinks.
Figurative use of the term dates back to the late 15th century.
Referring to persons as 'poison' became common in 1910.
The phrase 'poison-pen letter' became well-known in 1913.
The term is used figuratively in various contexts, including slang and criminal cases.

Reference	URL
Glossary	https://www.alternix.com/blogs/glossary-of-terms/poison
Wikipedia	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison
Wikidata	https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q40867
Knowledge Graph	https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/0dh11