635 Virginia Poisoning Deaths in 2005
Contact: Charles Ford (804) 864-7668
Overview:
Persons of all ages are susceptible to one form of poisoning or another at different stages of their lives. Millions of people are unintentionally poisoned every year. A poison is any substance that can cause an unintended symptom. Poisons can come in four different forms: solids, liquids, sprays and gasses.
What you need to know:
- Over 50% of poisoning exposures reported to Virginia Poison Control Centers occurred among children 5 and younger.
- The most common chemicals involved in childhood poisonings are cosmetics and personal care products, cleaning agents, pain killers; and others such as vitamin and mineral supplements, cough and cold preparations, pesticides, and antihistamines.
- About 94% of all childhood poisonings occur in the home.
- Older adults suffer from poisonings that tend to occur as a result of taking the wrong medication or improper amounts.
- Older adults are also adversely affected by the
interactions of multiple medications.
