It’s National Poison Prevention Week
It’s National Poison Prevention Week, and NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department would like to provide the following poison prevention and safety tips to help you stay safe at work and at home.
First, save the Poison Help number, 1-800-222-1222, in your phone and display it in your home and at work in case of emergency (or if you have questions).
Workplace Poison Prevention
Unprotected exposure to many substances found in the workplace can lead to poisoning. What’s more, it isn’t all that hard to be exposed since these poisons have three easy routes into the body:
- Inhaling hazardous airborne vapors, dusts, fibers, etc., can cause health effects ranging from headaches, nausea, and respiratory problems to far more serious – sometimes even fatal – ailments.
- Skin and eye contact can irritate or burn and may cause serious eye damage, recurring allergies, or a variety of other problems. Some poisons could also enter the bloodstream through the skin, which could lead to very serious health problems, such as organ damage.
- Swallowing a poisonous substance could occur unintentionally if it gets on food, a coffee mug, or even hands. With some poisons, swallowing even a small amount could cause health effects.
Poisoning Prevention
- Ventilate work areas where hazardous substances are used and stored. Enclose hazardous operations to prevent dangerous vapors from escaping into the air employees breathe.
- Restrict entry to hazardous areas to authorized, trained, and properly equipped workers.
- Require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) specifically designed to protect against the specific hazardous substances employees work with.
- Train employees to consult the Safety Data Sheets (formerly known as MSDS) and their supervisor for the proper PPE and work practices for handling hazardous substances.
Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
If you are accidentally exposed to a poisonous chemical on the job, NYCHA development personnel can locate the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on the SafeNYCHA page of Connect. The SDS are prepared by suppliers/manufacturers of the chemicals, and they provide information such as:
- Hazards associated with handling chemical products;
- How to use these products safety;
- Impacts if safety recommendations are not followed;
- Symptoms of overexposure; and
- What to do if accidents occur.
NYCHA staff can also refer to the first-aid measures in section 4 of the SDS:
Safe Storage Habits at Home
The following items should be stored up, away, and out of sight of children, and in their original containers. Alternatively, keep these substances in cabinets secured with child-resistant locks.
- All medicines and pharmaceuticals, including over-the-counter medicines, prescription medicines, vitamins, and supplements
- Cleaning products, laundry detergent, and cosmetics (and don’t mix cleaning products together)
- Tobacco and e-cigarette products, especially liquid nicotine
- Alcohol
- Pesticides and insect repellents
- Button batteries, such as those found in musical greeting cards, key fobs, etc.
- Any type of oil or lubricant, including fragrance oils, tiki torch oils, engine oil, etc.
- Personal care products, especially contact lens disinfectants and hand sanitizers
Read and Follow Labels and Directions
- Make a habit to read product labels before each use, especially medications.
- Be sure to follow usage directions and the instructions for safe storge and disposal.
- Supervise young children when using hand sanitizer.
Poison-Proof Your Home
- Identify potential poisons inside and outside your home.
- Keep poisons up high and out of reach of children.
- Keep products in their original container with the label intact.
- Never store poisons in a food or beverage container.
- Use child-resistant containers and make sure they are closed properly.
First Aid for Poisoning
For any exposure, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
- Skin contact: Wash area thoroughly with soap and water
- Eye exposure: Thoroughly rinse for 20 minutes
- Ingestion or swallowed: Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222
For additional guidance on poisonous chemicals and storage safety at NYCHA, please refer to the SafeNYCHA Advisories on Connect (within the “SafeNYCHA” section under the “Departments” tab).
If you have questions about this or any environmental health and safety matter, please email ehs@nycha.nyc.gov. Residents, employees, and any member of the public can submit environmental health and safety concerns at on.nyc.gov/submit-concern.
For more information on poison prevention, please visit:
