CRI023: Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology

Module #10: Student Activity Sheet

Lesson title: Prevention of Toxicity Materials:

Learning Targets:
At the end of the module, students will be able to: References:
https://www.britannica.com/science
1. Identify the different types of poisons and poisoning. /poison-biochemistry/Topical-skin

2. Discuss ways for the elimination of poisons in the https://www.britannica.com/science

body. /toxicological-
examination

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW

Introduction

Hi, welcome back to Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology! Last time we discussed the history and
importance of toxicology, today we will be studying about prevention of toxicity. Let’s check your prior
knowledge by answering the following questions below.

Directions: Discuss briefly the steps on how a forensic toxicologist collects sample/evidence.

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B. MAIN LESSON

Directions. In this activity, you need to read and underline or highlight keywords for you to keep
in mind some essential terms/words used in the content notes; this will help you remember facts or
theories and make the learning session more meaningful. You may also do note-taking for your easy
access to the information.

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 CRI023: Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
Module #10: Student Activity Sheet

POISON AND TYPE OF POISON

Poison is any substance that can cause severe organ damage or

death if ingested, breathed in, injected into the body or
absorbed through the skin.

Poisoning is injury or death due to swallowing, inhaling, touching or injecting various drugs,
chemicals venoms or gases. Many substances — such as drugs and carbon monoxide — are
poisonous only in higher concentrations or dosages. And others — such as cleaners — are
dangerous only if ingested. Children are particularly sensitive to even small amounts of certain
drugs and chemicals.

Examining Poisoning

In cases of poisoning where the individual is unconscious and can give no history, diagnosis may
depend chiefly on a physical examination, which includes recording the odour of the breath and
vomitus, alterations in respiration, blood pressure, skin colour, body temperature, and identification
of pills and other recognizable materials in the vomitus and stomach washings. Although some
poisons produce characteristic symptoms, many do not; almost any acute disease may be

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 CRI023: Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
Module #10: Student Activity Sheet

simulated, and it is usually safest to ascribe any symptoms of unknown cause to poisoning, until
proved otherwise. For example, cases of lead and mercury poisoning have been belatedly
diagnosed in individuals whose symptoms had been erroneously interpreted as a more familiar
disorder.

Laboratory analysis of body fluids and tissues may sometimes be too time-consuming to be of
immediate value in diagnosing acute poisoning but can be useful in evaluating the extent of poison
injury and in the diagnosis of chronic poisoning, in which case the thorough study of the home and
work environment of the poisoned individual is also necessary.

WAYS TO ELIMINATE POISON IN THE BODY

Poisoning can occur from a variety of factors like medications, illicit drugs, foods, and attempts to
harm one’s life. Poisoning is a medical emergency and cannot be treated at home.

However, you can take actions until help arrives;

 Swallowed poison. Remove anything remaining in the person's mouth. If the suspected
poison is a household cleaner or other chemical, read the container's label and follow
instructions for accidental poisoning.

 Poison on the skin. Remove any contaminated clothing using gloves. Rinse the skin for 15 to
20 minutes in a shower or with a hose.

 Poison in the eye. Gently flush the eye with cool or lukewarm water for 20 minutes or until
help arrives.

 Inhaled poison. Get the person into fresh air as soon as possible.

 If the person vomits, turn his or her head to the side to prevent choking.

 Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of life, such as moving, breathing or coughing.

 Have somebody gather pill bottles, packages or containers with labels, and any other
information about the poison to send along with the ambulance team.

 Helping someone who is conscious

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 CRI023: Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
Module #10: Student Activity Sheet

 If you think someone has been severely poisoned and they're still conscious, ask them to sit
still and stay with them while you wait for medical help to arrive.

 If they've been poisoned by swallowing something, try to get them to spit out anything that
is remaining in their mouth.

 If a harmful substance has splashed onto their skin or clothes, remove any contaminated
items and wash the affected area thoroughly with warm or cool water. Be careful not to
contaminate yourself in the process.

 Helping someone who is unconscious

 If you think someone has swallowed poison and they appear to be unconscious, try to wake
them and encourage them to spit out anything left in their mouth. Don't put your hand into
their mouth and don't try to make them sick.

 While you're waiting for medical help to arrive, lie the person on their side with a cushion
behind their back and their upper leg pulled slightly forward, so they don't fall on their face
or roll backwards.

 Wipe any vomit away from their mouth and keep their head pointing down, to allow any
vomit to escape without them breathing it in or swallowing it. Don't give them anything to
eat or drink.

 If the person isn't breathing or their heart has stopped, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR) if you know how to.

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

You are doing well! Next, you need to answer the activity below. This will assess your learning
about the lesson.

Directions: It is time to assess your learning, write TRUE if you think that the statement is correct and
FALSE if it’s incorrect. Write your answer on the space provided before the number.

_____________1. Venom is an example of poison.

_____________2. If a person is poisoned, you can let him eat or drink while waiting for help.

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 CRI023: Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
Module #10: Student Activity Sheet

_____________3. If a person inhaled poison, you should get the person into fresh air.

_____________4. Chemically manufactured poison is responsible for most poisoning.

_____________5. Children are particularly sensitive to even small amounts of certain drugs and chemicals.

Check your answers against the Key to Corrections found at the end of this SAS. Write your score on
your paper.

C. LESSON WRAP-UP

THINKING ABOUT LEARNING (5 MINS)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Since we know you have questions about this lesson, we write 2 items and answer it on your
behalf so it will be clear to you. Please read the following questions and the corresponding answers to it.

Question 1. What's the difference between venomous and poisonous?

Answer: The quick and dirty way to separate venomous creatures from poisonous ones is by thinking
about bites: If you bite it and die, it is poisonous; if it bites you and you die, it is venomous.

Question 2. Is toxin a poison?

Answer: Well it is the other way around, both poison and venom are toxins because a toxin simply
describes a biologically produced chemical that alters the normal function of another organism, which
poison and venom are.

Thinking about Learning

A). Learning Tracker

As part of the learning tracker, we prepared some questions for you to reflect on, please carefully
read the question below and give your honest answer.

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 CRI023: Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
Module #10: Student Activity Sheet

What motivated you to finish the lesson?

What external factors in school or at home affect your learning?

Job well done; you have reached the end of this module!

KEY TO CORRECTIONS
Check for Understanding
1. True, venom is a specialized type of poison that has evolved for a specific purpose. It is actively
injected via a bite or sting.
2. False, you can’t give any food or drink to a poisoned person.
3. True, you should get the person into fresh air as soon as possible.
4. True, chemically manufactured or synthetic poisons such as drugs and pesticide are the most
common reasons for poisoning.
5. True, they are most vulnerable to poisoning especially if left unattended.

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 CRI023: Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
Module #10: Student Activity Sheet

LABORATORY ACTIVITY #10: PREVENTION OF Materials:

TOXICITY

Learning Targets: References:

At the end of the module, students will be able to:
1. explain the importance of first aid in toxicology,
and
2. choose one topic from the additional work, and
report it.
https://www.britannica.com/science
/poison-biochemistry/Topical-skin
https://www.britannica.com/science
/toxicological-
examination

INTRODUCTION

Treatment for poisoning depends on the poison swallowed, inhaled or administered.

Contracting a poison control center or hospital emergency room is the first step in getting proper
treatment. When these are not available in the area, knowledge of the type of poison will help you
decide how to deal with the situation at hand.

Activity# 1
Directions: In not less than 200 words, explain the importance of first aid in cases concerning poisons.

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 CRI023: Forensic Chemistry and Toxicology
Module #10: Student Activity Sheet

Activity #2
Directions: Choose 1 topic below, research it, and report it (video with minimum of 3 mins and
maximum of 5 minutes).

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