RestoredCDC.org Comparison

    Original site: www.cdc.gov/niosh/outdoor-workers/about/poisonous-plants.html | RestoredCDC.org is an independent project, not affiliated with CDC or any federal entity. Visit CDC.gov for free official information. Due to archival on January 6, 2025, recent outbreak data is unavailable. Videos are not restored. Access data.restoredcdc.org for restored data. Use of this site implies acceptance of this disclaimer.
    [More]
    About Us Report Bug Compare Content
  Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search Skip directly to On This Page
          An official website of the United States government
        Here's how you know
              Official websites use .gov
              A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
              Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
              A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
        National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
        National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Outdoor Workers
          Explore Topics
        Search
          Search
          Clear Input
      Outdoor Workers
        More from CDC
          * Health Topics A-Z
          * Outbreaks
          * About CDC
        Health Topics A-Z View All
      search close search
          search
    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
    Outdoor Menu Close
    Outdoor Menu
          search
              More from CDC
                  * Health Topics A-Z
                  * Outbreaks
                  * About CDC
        View All Outdoor
  NIOSH Outdoor
August 28, 2024
  Poisonous Plants and Work
          Key points
            * Poisonous plants that can cause skin irritation include poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
            * Burning poisonous plants may lead to lung irritation.
            * Employers and workers can take actions to stay safe.
        Overview
        Many plants are poisonous to humans when ingested or through skin contact with plant chemicals. The most common problems with poisonous plants arise from contact with the sap oil. Several plants native to the United States can cause an allergic skin reaction. These include poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Workers may also develop lung irritation from contact with burning poisonous plants.
        Any workers who spend time outside are at risk of exposure to poisonous plants. Some jobs include:
          * Farmers
          * Landscapers and gardeners
          * Painters
          * Roofers
          * Construction workers
          * Forestry workers
          * Firefighters
        Geographic distribution
        Poisonous plant species are found throughout the United States (except Alaska and Hawaii).
        The U.S. Department of Agriculture has maps showing the geographic location of:
          * Western poison ivy
          * Eastern poison ivy
          * Pacific poison oak
          * Atlantic poison oak
          * Poison Sumac
        Types
        Identifying poisonous plants
        The old saying “Leaves of three, let it be!” is a helpful reminder for identifying poison ivy and poison oak. However, it does not apply to poison sumac, which usually has clusters of 7–13 leaves.
        In some species, poison ivy and poison oak may also have more than three leaves. Their appearance may also vary depending upon the species, the local environment, and the season. There may also be common lookalike plants in the same areas.
        Poison Ivy
          Poison ivy: Photos courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture
        Eastern poison ivy is typically a hairy, ropelike vine with three shiny green leaves budding from one small stem. The leaves may be red in the fall.
        Western poison ivy is typically a low shrub with three leaves that does not form a climbing vine.
        It may have yellow or green flowers and white to green-yellow or amber berries.
        Poison Oak
          Poison oak: Photos courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture
        Poison oak is typically a shrub with three leaves, like poison ivy.
        Pacific poison oak may be vine-like.
        It may have yellow or green flowers and clusters of green-yellow or white berries.
        Poison Sumac
          Poison sumac: Photos courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture
        Poison sumac is a woody shrub that has stems with 7–13 leaves arranged in pairs.
        It may have glossy, pale yellow, or cream-colored berries.
        Symptoms
        Symptoms of contact with poisonous plants include:
          * Red rash within a few days of skin contact
          * Bumps, red patches or streaking, or weeping blisters
              + Note: fluids in blisters will not cause blisters to spread on you or others
          * Swelling
          * Itching
        Types of Exposure
        Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac release an oil (urushiol) when part of the plant is damaged or burned. When the oil gets on the skin, most exposed people have an allergic reaction (contact dermatitis). Workers can become exposed to urushiol through:
          * Direct contact with the plant.
          * Indirect contact, such as touching tools, livestock, or clothing that have urushiol on them.
          * Inhaling particles containing urushiol from burning plants.
        Exposure to an amount of urushiol less than a grain of salt causes a rash in 80-90 percent of adults. The rash may significantly impede or prevent a person from working. Burning these poisonous plants can be very dangerous because the allergens can irritate lungs.
        Reducing risk
        What employers can do
        Employers can protect their workers from poisonous plants by training them about:
          * Their risk of exposure to poisonous plants.
          * How to identify poisonous plants.
          * How to prevent exposure to poisonous plants.
          * What they should do if they are exposed to poisonous plants.
        What workers can do
        Wear long sleeves, long pants, boots, and gloves. Wash exposed clothing separately in hot water with detergent.
        Use barrier skin creams, such as a lotion containing bentoquatam which may offer some protection before contact. Barrier creams should be washed off and reapplied twice a day.
        Clean tools with rubbing alcohol (isopropanol or isopropyl alcohol) or soap and lots of water. Urushiol can remain active on the surface of objects for up to 5 years. Wear disposable gloves while cleaning.
        Do not burn plants that may be poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac. Inhaling smoke from burning plants can cause severe allergic respiratory problems.
        When burning poisonous plants
        Employers should prevent workers from being exposed to burning poisonous plants whenever possible. When exposure to burning poisonous plants is unavoidable, employers should provide workers with a NIOSH-certified half-face piece particulate respirator.
        Respirators should be rated R–95, P–95, or better. Firefighters may require a higher level of respiratory protection to protect against possible exposure to combustion products.
        Respirators should protect against exposure to burning poisonous plants. However, they will not protect against all products in smoke, such as carbon monoxide.
        Respirators must be worn correctly and consistently throughout the time they are used. For respirators to be effective there must be a tight seal between the user’s face and the respirator.
        Employers must have a written comprehensive respiratory protection program if workers use respirators (see OSHA Respiratory Protection standard 29 CFR 1910.134).
        First Aid
        Rinse skin immediately.
          * Use rubbing alcohol, poison plant washes, or dishwashing soap, and lots of water.
          * Rinse often to prevent wash solutions from drying on the skin and further spreading the urushiol.
        Scrub under nails with a brush.
        Apply wet compresses, calamine lotion, or hydrocortisone cream to the skin to reduce itching and blistering.
          * Follow the directions on any creams or lotions.
          * Do not apply creams or lotions to broken skin.
          * Oatmeal baths may relieve itching.
        Take an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (like Benadryl) to help relieve itching.
          * Follow directions on the package.
          * Antihistamines may make you drowsy.
          * If children touch contaminated work clothing, contact a pediatrician.
        Get medical help in severe cases, or if the rash is on the face or genitals.
        Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room if you or another worker:
          * Has a severe allergic reaction, like swelling or difficulty breathing.
          * Has had a severe reaction to poisonous plants in the past.
        Resources
        NIOSH Fast Facts: Protecting Yourself from Poisonous Plants
        USDA PLANTS Database
        National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health – Medline Plus: Poison Ivy-Oak-Sumac Rash
        Food and Drug Administration: Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Its Cousins
        American Academy of Dermatology: Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac
        The Poison Ivy Site
        Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Information Center
        On This Page
            * Overview
            * Types
            * Symptoms
            * Types of Exposure
            * Reducing risk
            * First Aid
            * Resources
          Related PagesAbout Working Safely Outdoors
          Related Pages
        * 
 
            * About Working Safely Outdoors
            * Tickborne Diseases
            * Insects and Scorpions
        * 
            * Venomous Snakes
            * Venomous Spiders
            * View All
          View All Outdoor
 
    Venomous Snakes
        Back to Top
  August 27, 2024
      Sources Print Share
        Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Syndicate
          Content Source:
        National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
      Related PagesAbout Working Safely Outdoors
      Related Pages
    * 
 
        * About Working Safely Outdoors
        * Tickborne Diseases
        * Insects and Scorpions
    * 
        * Venomous Snakes
        * Venomous Spiders
        * View All
      View All Outdoor
  Back to Top
    NIOSH
    The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established NIOSH as a research agency focused on the study of worker safety and health, and empowering employers and workers to create safe and healthy workplaces.
    View All
        Sign up for Email Updates
    Contact Us
        Contact Us
          * Call 800-232-4636
          * Contact CDC
    About CDC
        About CDC
          * Pressroom
          * Organization
          * Budget & Funding
          * Careers & Jobs
    Policies
              * Accessibility
              * External Links
              * Privacy
              * Web Policies
              * FOIA
              * OIG
              * No Fear Act
              * Nondiscrimination
              * Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
    Languages
            Languages
              * Español
            Language Assistance
                  * Español
                  * 繁體中文
                  * Tiếng Việt
                  * 한국어
                  * Tagalog
                  * Русский
                  * العربية
                  * Kreyòl Ayisyen
                  * Français
                  * Polski
                  * Português
                  * Italiano
                  * Deutsch
                  * 日本語
                  * فارسی
                  * English
    Archive
          * CDC Archive
          * Public Health Publications
    Contact Us
      Contact Us
        * Call 800-232-4636
        * Contact CDC
    About CDC
        * Pressroom
        * Organization
        * Budget & Funding
        * Careers & Jobs
        * About CDC
    Policies
        * Accessibility
        * External Links
        * Privacy
        * Web Policies
        * FOIA
        * OIG
        * No Fear Act
        * Nondiscrimination
        * Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
    Languages
      Languages
        * Español
      Language Assistance
        * Español
        * 繁體中文
        * Tiếng Việt
        * 한국어
        * Tagalog
        * Русский
        * العربية
        * Kreyòl Ayisyen
        * Français
        * Polski
        * Português
        * Italiano
        * Deutsch
        * 日本語
        * فارسی
        * English
    Archive
        * CDC Archive
        * Public Health Publications
    HHS.gov USA.gov