Household Toxicants and Hydrocarbon Toxicity

These flashcards cover key concepts regarding household toxicants, types of hydrocarbon toxicity, treatment protocols, and significant health risks associated with their ingestion.

What indicates a product with a potential toxicity level of:

1. LD50 < 50 mg/kg?

2. LD50 > 5 g/kg

3. 0.5 – 5 g/kg

4. 50 – 500 mg/kg

No label = = LD50 > 5 g/kg

Caution = 0.5 – 5 g/kg

Danger: Poison label.

Warning = 50 – 500 mg/kg

Describe the types of household toxicants related to hydrocarbons.

Household toxicants related to hydrocarbons include household cleaners, soaps, shampoos, detergents, disinfectant cleaners, alkaline compounds, and acidic compounds.

What are common household items that can be toxic due to hydrocarbons?

Household cleaners, soaps, shampoos, detergents, disinfectant cleaners, petroleum products.

where are cationic surfactants found?

Contact lens solution, pool algicides, fabric softeners

What is the main toxicity concern with products containing cationic surfactants?

They can cause neuromuscular and ganglionic blockade as well as GI ulcerations, acidosis, and shock.

Anionic surfactants

found in cleaning products and will cause HEMOLYSIS

Which compounds are known to cause severe burns and ulcerations with a pH > 12?

Alkaline compounds like ammonia and oven cleaner.

What should be done if a potentially toxic amount of a non-corrosive household cleaner is ingested?

Emesis should be induced; no activated charcoal unless systemic effects are expected.

What significant health issues can arise from ingesting petroleum products?

Aspiration can cause hydrocarbon pneumonia.

What are some signs of hydrocarbon toxicity?

Depression, lethargy, ataxia, seizures, coma, dyspnea, coughing, wheezing.

What immediate action should be taken if a corrosive compound is ingested and there is pain or ulceration?

Establish airway and get an esophagoscopy.

What do alkali products cause compared to acidic products when ingested?

Alkali products can cause more severe burns and deeper ulcerations.

Which household products contain phenolic compounds that may be particularly toxic to cats?

Disinfectant cleaners like Lysol and Pine-Sol.