Poisons

Poisons

Substance can be chemical, physical or biological- cause death or harm
Case Study-Georgi Markov (Ricin Poisoning)
Substances generally harmful to the body, no beneficial effects
1. Origin, physical form, chemical nature, chemical activity, target sites,uses?
  1. Physical poisons- ground glass and asbestos
    1. Anions- Cyanide (NaCN KCN), Hypochlorite (bleach), Oxalate (rhubarb leaves), nitrite and nitrate, sulphite
  2. Corrosive Agents, typically acids and alkalis- HCl, HNO3, H2SO4, NaOH, heavy metal salts, some strong detergents.
  3. Metals and metalloid, especially heavy metals- Arsenic (As), Antimony (Sb), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Chromates.
  4. Gases and Volatile substances- CO, HCN, butane, propane, acetone- cause death through heart failure or choking on vomit
  5. Radioactive substances-harmful (cancer treatments)- Litvinenko murder (polonium)
  6. Pesticides- Insecticides, Herbicides (paraquat), Rodenticide (Warfarin)
  7. Organic chemicals- hydrocarbons and alcohols depress the central nervous system, aldehydes and ketones are mostly irritants
Drugs- beneficial or desired effects
1. Drugs of Abuse-potentially harmful substances deliberately for the mood and mind-altering effects
Toxins- produced by biological function in nature
1. poison produced by a micro-organism or other organism and acting as an antigen in the body
2. Venom- biological toxin injected by bite or sting
Alkaloids
1. Naturally occurring chemical compound
2. Contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms
3. Produced by a large variety of organisms (bacteria, fungi, plants and animals) eg cocaine and heroin
4. invoke bitter taste
5. Plant- Aconitine (from monkshood), Coniine (from hemlock) etc.

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	Created by rachaelmccue about 10 years ago