Dry cell batteries

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Dry cell batteries

Definition:

Poisoning from a dry cell battery.

Alternative Names:

Batteries - dry cell

Poisonous Ingredient:

Acidic dry cell batteries
- Manganese dioxide
- Ammonium chloride
Alkaline dry cell batteries
- Sodium hydroxide
- Potassium hydroxide

Where Found:

Dry cell batteries, which are commonly found in most households

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

Note that symptoms will vary depending on what type of battery is ingested (acidic or alkaline).

From chronically ingesting large amounts of acidic dry cell batteries:

Decreased mental ability
Irritation or burns in the mouth
Muscle cramps
Slurred speech
Swelling of the lower legs, ankles, or feet
Weakness
Nervous system
Spastic walk
Spasticity
Tremor

From inhaling large amounts of the acidic battery contents dust or smoke from burning batteries:

Body as a whole
- Decreased mental ability
- Difficulty sleeping
- Muscle cramps
- Slurred speech
- Weakness in the legs
Respiratory
Itching skin
Nervous system
- Numbness of the fingers or toes
- Spastic walk

From ingesting alkaline battery contents:

Body as a whole
- Severe pain in the mouth
- Collapse
Inability to breathe due to the throat swelling shut
Severe pain in the throat
Gastrointestinal
- Severe abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Drooling
Rapid drop in blood pressure

Home Treatment:

Do not induce vomiting. Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or local emergency number (such as 911).

If the battery was swallowed, give water or milk.

If inhaled, take the patient outdoors to fresh air.

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

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

The Poison Control or local emergency telephone representative will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. The national Poison Control hotline can be reached at 1-800-222-1222.

Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

Treatment of symptoms
Monitoring of vital signs
Supportive care

Expectations (prognosis):

Full recovery is often possible if treated soon enough. Serious problems are usually seen only following industrial accidents. Most household exposures (such as licking some liquid from a leaking battery) are minor.

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