Poison Prevention Week

March 16, 2020

Every year in the UK there are around 160,000 NHS emergency department presentations as a result of poisoning; this could be due to self-harm, drug misuse, medication errors etc. Therefore there is the need for healthcare professionals to access up-to-date information about the effects of these substances and their clinical management.

The National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) provides this information via the internet database TOXBASE as well as a 24-hour telephone advice line manned by specialists in poisons information, supported by consultant clinical toxicologists. The Birmingham unit of the NPIS is located at City Hospital with 10 Specialists in poisons information and two consultant clinical toxicologists.

Poison Prevention Week aims to raise awareness of poisoning and highlight the dangers of poisonings for people of all ages.

To celebrate the week, each day we will be offering tips around poison prevention and staying safe.

Today’s tip is:

Keep medicines and household products in their original containers and in a different place than food/drink

Keep medicines, household products and liquids such as de-icer, antifreeze and oven/drain cleaners in their original packaging and never decant them into drink bottles as this is a common source of toxicity reported to the NPIS.

Mixing bleach with hot water or with other cleaning chemicals such as lime scale removers can result in toxic gases like chlorine being generated which can cause severe lung injury.

Another common enquiry received by the NPIS is regarding descalers being left in kettles overnight and used to make drinks or for cooking.  When using a descaler always make sure everyone else in the house is aware and thoroughly rinse before use.

For more information or if you would like assistance with the use of TOXBASE please do not hesitate to get in touch with michael.beech@nhs.net or e.moyns@nhs.net from the national poisons information service.