Poison-proofing homes and schools

Poison comes in various forms, sizes, and containers.

Thus warned Dr. Nerissa M. Dando, associate professor and toxicology consultant of the National Poison Management and Control Center (NPMCC UP - PGH), at a forum to mark National Poison Prevention Week recently.

Dr. Dando, also president of the Society of Adolescent Medicine of the Philippines, spoke before students of Manila Science High School, highlighting the theme “Poisons in the School: Prevention is the Solution.”

Indeed, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, Dr. Dando stressed this age-old nugget of wisdom.It is important to avoid exposure to poisonous substances in a proactive manner than to deal with it later.

She elaborated, “Poison prevention education is essential to protect our children from unwittingly exposing themselves to hazardous products and wastes.  We can avoid poisoning emergencies that may even lead to severe injury and death by becoming aware of actual and potential hazards in our surroundings and taking concrete steps to poison-proof our homes, schools, and workplaces.”

Maria Eva S. Nacion, principal of Manila Science High School, said that “by learning and acting together, we can make our faculty members, students, and non-teaching staff more safety-conscious to prevent poisoning incidents, which can put our children’s health and their future at risk.”   

Thony Dizon, coordinator of the EcoWaste Coalition’s Project Protect, cited some of the more common poisons in the school setting that could make children ill if ingested or inhaled, including lead-containing paint chip and dust, school supplies laced with hazardous ingredients, laboratory chemicals, busted mercury-containing fluorescent lamps, and cleaning agents such as chlorine granules, oxalic acid crystals, and sodium hypochlorite (a.k.a. Clorox).

  She cautioned against seemingly harmless stuff like paracetamol, vitamins, lipsticks, colognes, perfumes, sanitizers and other personal care products that may just be lying on Mommy’s dresser, within easy reach of children, and can be poisonous and cause serious injury to the little curious ones who may use these the wrong way.

Children are more sensitive and susceptible to the harmful effects of hazardous substances than adults, so Dr. Dando pointed out, because their body defense systems are still developing, they consume more food and water, and breathe more air in proportion to their body size. More, children’s hand-to-mouth behaviour can expose them more to environmental contaminants.

How do you know if a child might have been poisoned? If the child loses consciousness, has severe abdominal pain, has a seizure, has tremors or muscle twitching, is drooling or vomiting.

To poison-proof our homes and schools, the NPMCC UP-PGH and the EcoWaste Coalition give the following life-saving tips:

•.  Handle, use, store, and dispose of products safely.  Seek out eco-friendly products that do not contain hazardous substances.

•  Read the product labels carefully and follow the safety instructions.  Pay attention to the hazard pictograms and precautionary warnings.

• Keep medicines, bleaching, cleaning and laundry products, insecticides, paints, varnishes and thinners, and car maintenance materials out of children’s sight and reach, in a securely locked cabinet or area.

• Return all products to their proper storage immediately after use.  Do not leave them unattended.

•  Never place poisonous products in beverage and food containers such as drinking cups or softdrink bottles.  Keep them in their original containers.

•  Never reuse pesticide and other chemical containers for storing food and water.

 •  Do not mix household cleaning products together.  Combining bleach and cleaning products with ammonia, for example, can form dangerous fumes.

• Wash children’s toys and other play things regularly to minimize the risk of your child coming into contact with lead-containing dust and other environmental pollutants.

• Teach kids how to safely use art materials such as crayons, watercolors, glues, and other adhesives, and remind them not to eat or drink while doing their art assignments.

•  Whenever there is question of poison exposure, call the NPMCC or consult a medical doctor nearest you.  Don’t make your child vomit.  Keep the following numbers of the NPMCC by your phone: 524-1078, 554-8400 local 2311 or 09228961541.