Careless handling of biocides can cause serious poisoning – experts warned on Wednesday during a press conference devoted to these products in Warsaw.
The conference as part of the Safe Drug campaign was organized by the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products.
Biocidal products are used to destroy, deter or otherwise control harmful organisms by chemical or biological action – said Dr. Antoni Kunikowski, vice president of the Office. These include hygienic, disinfecting and preserving preparations. More than 500 poisonings with such products occur every year, and work is still underway to replace those that may pose a risk to humans with potentially less harmful and equally effective ones.
Some biocides have been recognized as safe (lavender oil, citric acid or ethyl alcohol), while others – very toxic – do not resign from the lack of a safer alternative. An example given by Dr. Piotr Burda, a national consultant in the field of toxicology, is anticoagulants (agents that inhibit blood clotting) used in the control of rodents. Under their influence, rats or mice bleed quickly – a similar effect can occur in humans.
As noted by Dr. Kunikowski, biocides should be used only when they are necessary. The sterility of bathrooms promoted in advertising is unattainable and unnecessary, and attempts to achieve it can be harmful. For example, mixing hypochlorite-containing agents with acidic preparations results in the release of irritating, poisonous chlorine. Always read the label or the leaflet. Children and uninformed persons should not be allowed to come into contact with biocidal products. Professional preparations that should not be used at home can have a particularly strong effect. In the event of disturbing symptoms, you must immediately consult a doctor – who can consult one of the XNUMX-hour Toxicological Information Centers at any time.
Poisonings can be accidental, suicidal, occupational or criminal. Dr. Burda drew attention to the importance of toxicovigilance – careful observation of poisoning events, their assessment, drawing conclusions and modifying further procedures. Knowing the circumstances of poisoning, the dose, effects and health consequences, appropriate steps can be taken to prevent further poisoning.
The most notorious misuse of a biocidal preparation is Zyklon B (original name: Zyklon B). An insecticide produced by the German chemical industry – granulated diatomaceous earth saturated with hydrogen cyanide – released poisonous hydrogen cyanide (HCN) when removed from sealed containers. It was supposed to be used to delousy uniforms, but it was used in gas chambers to kill over a million people.
As noted by the Office’s spokesman, Dr. Wojciech Łuszczyna, after the war, Zyklon B was produced in the GDR – under the same name and in the same packaging. It was used, inter alia, to control pests in ship holds. Wikipedia states that the Czechs are now producing an identical preparation under the name Uragan D2.
As Dr. Burda said, accidental poisoning is the most common among children under 5 years of age. Rat poison and corrosive preparations such as moles in granules or liquid, which, if swallowed, destroy the esophagus, are particularly dangerous. Recently, there have been serious poisonings with a preparation for impregnating wood, illegally introduced to the market. Dr. Burda also pointed out that this year’s snails plague caused many poisoning among dogs with agents containing metaldehyde with slugicidal preparations.
Dr. Dunikowski appealed to inform the doctor exactly about the type of poison in the event of poisoning – the composition of the preparation, its name and manufacturer are important. It is best to take the product packaging with you to the doctor.
Paweł Wernicki (PAP)