Term: Poisoning
Last Updated: 2007-09-26
The condition or physical state produced by the ingestion of, injection of, inhalation of, or absorption of a substance which interferes with normal body functions. Two primary groups of poisons exist: chemicals never intended to be ingested or inhaled (such as petroleum-based products) and trace substances (such as pharmaceuticals and alcohol). Other types of poisons include the bacterial toxins that cause food poisoning, such as Escherichia coli.