Introduction
Poison is defined as anything that, through its chemical actions, kills or injures people. The majority of poisons are ingested. Poison is derived from the Latin word “potare“, which means “to drink.” Poisons, on the other hand, can enter the body in a variety of ways:
- By inhaling
- Through the skin
- By IV injection
- Due to radiation exposure
- Snake venom or insect bite venom

Sources of Poison
There are variety of ways that might be source of poisoning. These includes:
► Domestic Sources: Poisoning can occur from a variety of sources in the home, including detergents, disinfectants, cleaning agents, antiseptics, insecticides, rodenticides, and other pesticides.
► Industrial Sources: Poisons are manufactured or created as by-products in industries.
► Agricultural and Horticultural Sources: Insecticides, pesticides, fungicides, and weed killers from agricultural and horticultural sources.
► Contamination of food and drink by the use of preservatives in food grains or other food materials, additives such as colouring and odouring agents, or other methods of unintentional contamination of food and drink.
► Commercial Sources: warehouses, distribution centers, and retail establishments.
► Drug and Medicine Abuse – As a result of incorrect medication, overmedication, and drug abuse.
► Miscellaneous Sources – Snakes bite poisoning, City smoke, Sewage gas poisoning etc.