Total number of calls/reports on Circumstances Further information poisons centres’ databases As a cancer treatment. Reported as ingesting between 20-50 kernels in a few hours or a number of kernels daily over a period of weeks or years to treat cancer. General symptoms of cyanide toxicity: Adult intentional 11 swelling of face, increased heart rate, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and dizziness. Some callers advised to attend hospital immediately, particularly those that had ingested 30 or more kernels. To improve general health, accidental (e.g. mistaken Adult unintentional or for almonds or using kernels in a home-made jam other than cancer 26 recipe) or reasons unknown. Reported as ingesting treatment or unknown some, few, handful or specific amounts (2-30) of apricot kernels. General queries for advice and concerns about or General queries 27 following consumption of apricot kernels (including recalls) to NSW poison information centre. Child unintentional Children (accidental) were asymptomatic but reported (accidental or 13 as sucked on a kernel, ingested a bit of a kernel or 1 exploratory) whole kernel consumed. Total 77 Table 6: Western Australia Poisons Information Centre (23 March 2002 to 31 August 2013) Total number of calls/reports on Circumstances Further information poisons centres’ databases Used as a complementary medicine, or suicide or other reasons. Reported as ingesting 20-40 kernels intentional 7 and lead to neurological, cardiovascular or gastrointestinal symptoms. Accidental food poisoning. Reported as ingesting unintentional 11 between 1 to 20 apricot kernels. Adult unknown 2 2 children were fed ground up apricot kernels by the mother over several months. There was a concern as Child intentional 2 both children were losing weight. Strongly recommend for a medical review. unintentional (accidental or 4 Generally reported as ingesting 1 whole kernel exploratory) Total 26 Table 7: Queensland Poisons Information Centre (Jan 2003 to Feb 2013)
Circumstances Total number of calls/reports on poisons centres’ databases Further information Adult intentional 11 As a cancer treatment. Reported as ingesting between 20-50 kernels in a few hours or a number of kernels daily over a period of weeks or years to treat cancer. General symptoms of cyanide toxicity: swelling of face, increased heart rate, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and dizziness. Some callers advised to attend hospital immediately, particularly those that had ingested 30 or more kernels. Adult unintentional or other than cancer treatment or unknown 26 To improve general health, accidental (e.g. mistaken for almonds or using kernels in a home-made jam recipe) or reasons unknown. Reported as ingesting some, few, handful or specific amounts (2-30) of apricot kernels. General queries 27 General queries for advice and concerns about or following consumption of apricot kernels (including recalls) to NSW poison information centre. Child unintentional (accidental or exploratory) 13 Children (accidental) were asymptomatic but reported as sucked on a kernel, ingested a bit of a kernel or 1 whole kernel consumed. Total 77 Table 6: Western Australia Poisons Information Centre (23 March 2002 to 31 August 2013) Circumstances Total number of calls/reports on poisons centres’ databases Further information intentional 7 Used as a complementary medicine, or suicide or other reasons. Reported as ingesting 20-40 kernels and lead to neurological, cardiovascular or gastrointestinal symptoms. unintentional 11 Accidental food poisoning. Reported as ingesting between 1 to 20 apricot kernels. Adult unknown 2 Child intentional 2 2 children were fed ground up apricot kernels by the mother over several months. There was a concern as both children were losing weight. Strongly recommend for a medical review. unintentional (accidental or exploratory) 4 Generally reported as ingesting 1 whole kernel Total 26 Table 7: Queensland Poisons Information Centre (Jan 2003 to Feb 2013)
P1016-HCNapricotkernels-CFS-SD2.docx