Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

people injured with environmental toxins such as
chemical leaks.

Do notapproach or enter an area where

the possibility of environmental pres-

ence of the toxin exists.

Responder personal protection measures Latex
or latex-style gloves are essential to prevent
responder contact with the toxin as well as body
fluids from the injured person. A resuscitation
shield or mask is necessary for RESCUE BREATHINGor
CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION(CPR).
First response actions Call 911 to summon
emergency medical personnel or call the poison
control hotline (in the United States: 1-800-222-
1222) for guidance. Many situations of inhaled
toxins require self-contained BREATHINGapparatus,
protective clothing, and specialized training to
safely rescue injured people. In such situations the
first responder can only summon help. Do notper-
form rescue breathing or CPR without a resuscita-
tion shield or mask, as doing so exposes the
responder to the toxin.
Follow-throughPeople exposed to inhaled tox-
ins require urgent medical evaluation and treat-
ment at a hospital emergency department or
trauma center.
See also INHALATION BURNS; ORGANIC SOLVENTS;
RESPONDER SAFETY AND PERSONAL PROTECTION; SITE AND
SITUATION ASSESSMENT; SYMPTOM ASSESSMENT AND CARE
TRIAGE.

injected toxins Poisons that enter a person’s
body through injection with a needle subcuta-
neously (beneath the SKIN), intramuscularly (into
a MUSCLE), or intravenously (into a VEIN). Most cir-
cumstances of injected toxins are inadvertent DRUG
OVERDOSE resulting from ILLICIT DRUG USE. Illicit
drugs may also contain poisons used as fillers or to
dilute the drug.

Site and situation assessment Attempt to

determine the drug or substance injected. Collect

any vials, syringes, and other apparatus that may

help identify the substance (handle these items

only if wearing latex or latex-style gloves).

Responder personal protection measures Latex

or latex-style gloves are essential to prevent

responder contact with the toxin as well as body

fluids from the injured person. A resuscitation

shield or mask is necessary for RESCUE BREATHINGor

CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION(CPR). The risk for

exposure to HEPATITIS,HIV/AIDS, and TUBERCULOSISis

very high when illicit drug abuse is the cause of

the injected toxin poisoning.

First response actions Call 911 to summon

emergency medical personnel and call the poison

control hotline (in the United States: 1-800-222-

1222) for guidance. Further first response actions:

1. If the person is conscious, try to keep him or
   her awake and moving.


2. If the person is unconscious, position the per-
   son to lie on a side with the head somewhat
   down in case of VOMITING. If vomiting occurs,
   clear vomitus from the MOUTHto maintain an
   open airway.


3. If the person is not BREATHING, begin rescue
   breathing using a resuscitation shield or mask.


4. If the person is not breathing and does not
   have a PULSE, begin CPR using a resuscitation
   shield or mask.

Follow-through Overdose or poisoning due to

injected toxins requires urgent medical assessment

and treatment at a hospital emergency depart-

ment.

See also INJECTING DRUGS, RISKS OF; POISON PREVEN-

TION; RESPONDER SAFETY AND PERSONAL PROTECTION;

SITE AND SITUATION ASSESSMENT; SYMPTOM ASSESSMENT

AND CARE TRIAGE.

Poisoning 385