Learn about Poison

United States Poison Centers Quick Facts and Figures

  • The entire U.S. population is served by local poison centers.
  • 61 local poison centers are in operation in the United States.
  • 2.4 million human exposure cases were reported to local poison centers in 2003.
  • 6,563 poison consultation calls are handled on average every day by local poison centers.
  • 6.2 million human poison exposure cases are documented in a confidential database maintained by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. The data are used to identify hazards early, focus prevention education, guide clinical research and direct training.

Children and Poison

  • 52 percent of poison exposures occur in children under the age of six.
  • The most common forms of poison exposure for children under the age of six are cosmetics and personal care products (13.3%), cleaning substances (10.3%), analgesics (7.4%) and foreign bodies (7.1%).
  • Although children under the age of six are the most likely to be exposed to poison, they represent just 2 percent of poison fatalities.
What you dont know can hurt you
Cleveland is one of the top three cities in the nation for the highest incidence of childhood lead-poisoning. Over the past decade, elimination of the sources of lead has led to a dramatic decrease in the number of new cases, but health officials say the challenge now is to clean-up pathways of exposure, one house at a time.
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