Many people are learning to garden for the first time in our lives upon the recent resurgence of self-sufficient living. Gardening comes in so many forms from pots lining a patio to raised beds and even tilling up the earth and planting directly into the soil. While all of the methods are known producers of quality produce it is important to note the risks of using fertilizer. Plant fertilizer & food poisoning are not usually two terms heard in the same sentence, but they are definitely linked according to many sources.
“Plant food,” also known as plant fertilizer, is commonly used on plants in homes or gardens. Such fertilizers keep plants healthy and allow them to grow faster.
Plant foods can be hazardous to people and pets through physical contact, inhalation, or accidental ingestion. It is safe to use fertilizers on nonedible plants, but you should always be cautious when handling and storing plant food.
You may develop the following symptoms if you come into physical contact with plant fertilizers:
You may experience these symptoms if you ingest plant fertilizers:
Plant fertilizers can poison people and pets if they are inhaled or accidentally ingested. Touching the fertilizer may cause skin irritation and ingesting it may be poisonous. Nitrates are the ingredients that cause the poisoning.
Nitrates are a form of nitrogen that plants can easily absorb. Nitrogen is essential for plant growth, but it can be very dangerous when present at high levels in humans. Within our bodies, nitrates lower the ability of the red blood cells to carry and deliver oxygen.
If you believe you have been poisoned by plant food, you should call the National Poison Control Centers hotline immediately. The emergency number is 800-222-1222.
You should also seek medical help. When paramedics arrive, be prepared to tell them:
Get fresh air immediately if the plant food was inhaled.
If the plant fertilizer is in your eyes or on your skin, flush thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes.
If you ingested the substance, do not induce vomiting unless the poison control center tells you to. You should drink water or milk, unless they advise against it.
Don’t drink anything if you’re vomiting, as this could lead to choking or drowning. The same guidelines apply if you’re providing care to a victim who is vomiting or unconscious.
The poison control center may advise you to go to the hospital. Once there, the staff will assess the severity of your poisoning.
Your doctor may run tests to check for methemoglobinemia. In this condition, the nitrate binds to the hemoglobin in your blood. Normally, hemoglobin is the compound that allows the blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body.
When you have methemoglobinemia, your blood cannot adequately circulate oxygen, causing a bluish tint in the oxygen-starved areas. Since methemoglobinemia is more common in infants, it is sometimes called “blue baby syndrome.”
If necessary, doctors at the hospital may give you medications, breathing support, or IV liquids.
You should always seek immediate medical care if you or a loved one has been poisoned by plant food, as the condition — if not treated — can be fatal.
Gardening can be so rewarding to everyone involved including children, but it is very important to know the risks especially when using fertilizer. For more information and tips on gardening keep an eye on Make Food Safe.
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