What is a poison?

Something that may harm you if used wrongly.

Wrong amount

Wrong person

Wrong method

Examples of wrong usage:

2 Perfect Poisons

Arsenic

Cyanide

ArsenicEarth’s crust – rocks, groundwater

Well water e.g. South Asia

Mining, smeltingIndustrial wasteFertilizer

Source: UNESCO

Arsenic: famous poison

Symptoms

Death

Kidney, bladder cancer

Lung cancer

Skin pigmentation

Source: UNESCO

Don’t smoke!

Source: UNESCO

Cyanide in cigarettes

CyanideCarbon and nitrogen compound

Hydrogen cyanide

Potassium cyanide

Mining/ industrial areasInsecticides, pesticidesFires – smoke Cyanide fishingPhotographySource: UNESCO

Source: UNESCO

Small amount

Quick death

Source: UNESCO

Symptoms

DeathSuffocationChokingRapid heart rate

NauseaDizziness Weakness Headache

Smell something?

Aaack!

Questions?

Key Sources

A Brief History of Poisoning http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A4350755

Arsenichttp://www.greenfacts.org/en/arsenic/

Classic Poisonshttp://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A4113983

Cyanidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanide

Painful Poisons by Nick Arnold (Horrible Science)