Calcium phosphate

Definition

This poisoning is caused by an overdose of calcium phosphate. It can be found in some cosmetic products, as well as many industrial chemicals and cements.

Poisonous Ingredient

Calcium phosphate

Where Found

• Some cosmetic products
  
• Some industrial chemicals and cements
  

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Note: Most symptoms are seen with severe exposures/overdoses.

• Respiratory
  o Breathing difficulty (from inhalation)
  o Throat swelling (which may also cause breathing difficulty)
  
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  o Severe pain in the throat
  o Severe pain or burning in the nose, eyes, ears, lips, or tongue
  o Loss of vision
  
• Gastrointestinal
  o Severe abdominal pain
  o Intestinal obstruction
  o Vomiting
  o Burns of the esophagus (food pipe)
  o Vomiting blood
  o Blood in the stool
  
• Heart and blood vessels
  o Hypotension (low blood pressure) develops rapidly
  o Collapse
  
• Skin
  o Irritation
  o Burn
  o Necrosis (holes) in the skin or underlying tissues
  
• Blood
  o Severe change in pH (too much or too little acid in the blood, which leads to damage in all of the body organs)
  

Home Treatment

Calcium phosphate is generally considered to be relatively nontoxic, but large ingestions or inhalations can result in serious toxicity.
DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING.

If calcium phosphate is on the skin or in the eye, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes. If the chemical was swallowed, give milk or water to dilute it. Call Poison Control for more information.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• The patient's age, weight, and condition
  
• The name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
  
• The time it was swallowed
  
• The amount swallowed
  

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Bring the poison container with you to the emergency room.