KUALA LUMPUR: The deaths of two young brothers due to consuming snacks laced with rat poison have put a spotlight on the handling and usage of poisons in daily activities.
The most important thing when using such substances in pest control is to know if the poison is certified for use.
Consumers should know what to do when people accidentally ingests or come in contact with poison.
USE ONLY LEGAL POISONS
Pest control specialist Khairun Naim Abu Bakar said people should never use illegal poisons such as furadan and Methomyl, which are extremely dangerous not only to humans but also to the environment.
"Some illegal poisons have ctive ingredients, such as carbofuran, endosulfan, and metamil, which can damage the ecosystem. So, using such substances will have a cascading effect on the environment.
"If we spread them on plants, insects can immediately die. It is a broad-spectrum systemic poison and really unsuitable for our environment."
"Carbofuran has an immediate effect when used."
He said on other hand, poisons that are allowed for use in pest control are designed to maintain ecologocial balance and the environment as their impacts are less long-lasting.
HOW TO PROPERLY USE POISON
Khairun Naim said people should seek advice from sellers to use the poison safely and effectively.
"If we want to eliminate pests, we need to use the right poison and always read the label.
"We need to know what to do and what not to do. Every step must be understood when using poison."
A consumer must always supervise the place where the poison was placed and be equipped with knowledge on what to do if any untoward incident occurs.
SYMPTOMS OF POISONING
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia public health specialist Professor Dr Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh said rat poisons can cause internal bleeding.
There are various symptoms such as difficulty in breathing, dizziness, headaches, weakness, seizures and circulatory failure," she said.
"High doses can lead to a drop in blood pressure. Early stages of exposure can be treated with antidotes, but the longer a person is exposed to it leads to irreversible damage," she said.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU CONSUME POISON
People who are victims of poisoning or those who witnesses a person being poisoned must rush to the hospital for treatment. There are no home remedies for poisoning.
"Ideally, they should seek medical attention right away. They can screen for toxicity in the body, particularly in children, and treatment such as administering fluids can be given.
"If the poison causes bleeding, there are therapies available, including Vitamin K, blood transfusions, and fresh frozen plasma."
"They must go to the hospital because Vitamin K is not available at home. Hospitals or specialised areas are equipped to handle such cases and provide early treatment."
She said activated charcoal can be used in some instances.
She said if larger portions of poisons are used for pests or animals, and they are accidentally consumed by people, then the affects will be greater.
"The effects can be more severe. Activated charcoal can absorb some poisons, but it also needs to be administered in a hospital setting," she said.
On Wednesday, three-year-old Muhammad Akil Syauqi, died at Penang General Hospital at around 8.30am after being in critical condition after eating a snack laced with poison two days earlier.
His brother, Muhammad Luth Syauqi, 2, who also ate the same poison-laced snack, died today.
Kulim district police chief Superintendent Mohd Asyil Mohd Khairi had said that the boys likely ingested the poisoned snacks hanging on a wire fence intended for wild animals encroaching near their home in Kampung Banggol Berangan, Labu Besar, in Kulim.
