Poisons enter the body by various routes. They may also originate within the body itself. Various disorders, such as renal failure, liver failure, and certain metabolic disorders may cause natural poisonous productions or accumulations within the body, which may be dangerous. Poisoning may be acute or chronic. Chronic poisoning results from the gradual accumulation of a poison.
Accidental poisoning is one of the most common types of accidents in the home.
It occurs primarily in young children, although adults sometimes accidentally poison themselves, often by mistaking the dosage of a prescribed drug, or, less commonly, by unthinkingly taking very high doses of certain vitamin or mineral supplements. Exposure to poisonous substances in industry is another important cause of unintentional poisoning in adults, as is drug abuse. Some of the poisons which most often cause poisoning in children are the common items found around the house which are not properly stored out of the child's reach or are disposed of improperly. Household drugs, such as aspirin and other medications, cosmetics and hair preparations, paint and turpentine, detergents, bleaches, glue, acids, ammonia, and insecticides are some of the more prevalent substances. The symptoms produced by taking poisons orally will vary according to the type of poison, the length of time expired since ingestion, and the size of the person in relation to the amount.