A New York cyclist who tried to save a venomous snake from being run over was instead bitten by it. There is a reason for the nicknames 'danger noodles' and 'nope ropes'. #snakes nypost.com/2025/05/23/us-…

Last month the IPC blog was on insecticide (products that kill insects). This month's blog is on insect repellants which can safely decrease mosquito and tick bites with proper use. #WestNile #lymedisease #mosquitorepellent #ticks #tickbites ipcblog.org/2025/07/17/bug…

CDC publishes summary of 85 people intoxicated from pizza made with cannabis infused oil by mistake. #edibles #THC cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/7…

Zinc Phosphide when combined with water creates a toxic gas that can be fatal to rats and humans. It is being sold by street vendors in NYC. #RATS #ratpoison msn.com/en-us/news/us/…

2025 has had a bumper crop of people with tick bites going to the ED. Some think it is due to the recent expansion of their range that ticks are found. Remember to wear insect repellent, long sleeves, long pants when going hiking this year. #LymeDisease nbcnews.com/health/health-…

The sap of giant hogweed can cause blisters and severe burns to exposed skin. It is a large plant that looks like "Queen Anne's Lace on steroids". It has been found in Illinois, although reports are rare. b100quadcities.com/giant-hogweed-…

Jerome Adams, former surgeon general advocates for widespread use of nalmafene including being available without a prescription. Now comes an article against pharma driven quick fixes to the overdose crisis which have the potential to cause harm. sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is an antihistamine approved in 1946. Experts say it poses disproportionate risks compared to newer antihistamines. Diphenhydramine OD can cause CNS depression, seizures and fatal abnormal heart rhythms. #overdose #Suicides cnn.com/2025/08/01/hea…

It is alleged that ChatGPT recommended a salt substitute that led to psychosis from bromism from sodium bromide. It is not an option for a salt substitute on a search on the current version. usatoday.com/story/news/hea…

Tennessee hiker suffers fatal timber rattler bite. Timber rattlers are also present in Illinois, fortunately bites from this venomous snake are rare. #rattlesnake #rattler #pitviper cbsnews.com/news/tennessee…

Breaded shrimp may be contaminated with Cesium-137 which is a radioactive element. #radioactive cbsnews.com/news/walmart-g…

The use of nicotine pouches have skyrocketed. They are touted as safer since they do not have the carcinogens that are in the tobacco leaf. IPC data shows that unintentional ingestions by children have increased almost 6 fold in a few years. #nicotine wandtv.com/news/nicotine-…

Cannabis gummy ingestions in children continues to increase. The article did not address the explosion of hemp-derived THC products sold retail. Many of the gummies in the poison center data are these products - it is not solely dispensary cannabis. foxnews.com/health/cannabi…

Herbicides are used to make gardens and yards look uniform and beautiful. Proper use is paramount in keeping family homes safe from harm. Safety tips and toxic effects of the most common herbicides are in this months blog. ipcblog.org/2025/08/18/in-…

Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome is becoming more common as more people smoke on a regular basis. People can have forceful, loud retching due the intense pain and nausea of this condition. Picture courtesy of JAMA

7-Hydroxymitragynine is the active ingredient in Kratom and is being synthesized and sold in concentrated form in retail outlets. Yikes. #kratom abc7.com/post/authoriti…

We asked ChatGPT to create an image of when to call the poison center. Who taught ChatGPT sarcasm?

Toxikin at the end of a great #NACCT conference in Chicago. Toxikon Chicago

Kara Zweerink presenting her research comparing Duster abuse vs Whippet or Nitrous oxide abuse. Conclusion is that NO cartridges should be regulated due to rising abuse potential. Toxikon Chicago

Ben Weigel of Northwestern EM presents his research comparing pediatric exposures to regular cannabis and hemp derived cannabis products. Conclusion was that Hemp derived products had more acute toxicity, likely due to the lack of regulation. Toxikon Chicago