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Ingestion

Definition

• Ingestion is the act of taking something (food, medicine, liquid, poison etc.) into the body through the mouth. Synonyms include "swallowing", "taking internally", and "eating".

  Do not confuse this with the term indigestion, which is an upset stomach.

Additional Info

Avoid ingestion of hazardous chemicals (obviously!). Recognize that you can accidentally ingest toxic materials by eating/handling food in areas where toxic substances are used. Never put anything in your mouth when you are working with hazardous chemicals. Having a chemical on your hands and then eating or smoking are common ways that chemicals are accidentally ingested. Be certain to wash your hands thoroughly after working with hazardous chemicals.

Be sure that all containers are properly labeled. NEVER STORE CHEMICALS OF ANY SORT IN FOOD CONTAINERS. Do not store food and chemicals in the same refrigerator. Children can not read labels, so keep all chemicals out of the reach of children. If applying pesticides with a hose sprayer, be sure to use a backflow preventer to keep toxic materials from backing up into your drinking water line. Always have your poison control center phone number handy with your other emergency information. A good first aid kit will contain activated charcoal to absorb ingested poisons and perhaps syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting (but induce vomiting only if the MSDS or poison control center tells you to). Finally, always clean up chemical spills as they can lead to unexpected ingestion. For example, children and dogs find antifreeze (ethylene glycol) to be very sweet-tasting. Ingestion of ethylene glycol can lead to liver failure and death, especially if not treated quickly.

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MSDS Relevance

This term usually appears on an MSDS as a route of entry of the material into the body. The MSDS will often describe typical symptoms of ingestion and steps to take if the material is ingested (inducing vomiting is not necessarily the best move and, in some cases, can cause further damage). Always read the MSDS before working with the material.

Further Reading

• In the event of a poisoning emergency call 1-800-222-1222.
• You can find your local poison control center at the American Association of Poison Control Centers web site.
• Battery ingestion at eMedicineHealth.
• Caustic Ingestion in Children.
• Toxin Ingestion Management at Family Practice Notebook, LLC.
• General Principles of Poisoning at the Merck Manuals.
• The Annals of Emergency Medicine discusses "Clinical Policy for the Initial Approach to Patients Presenting With Acute Toxic Ingestion or Dermal or Inhalation Exposure" in Volume 33, Number 6, June 1999.

See also: emetic, inhalation, poison.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.