Who should you contact if you suspect a poisoning?

• A. Emergency Department
• B. Regulatory Agency
• C. Poison Control (poison.org)
• D. Police

Answer: (C)

When poisoning is suspected, the best first contact is Poison Control because they specialize in toxic exposures and can provide immediate, expert triage and guidance tailored to the specific substance, amount, and time since exposure. They can assess the situation and tell you whether you should monitor at home, decontaminate, administer any antidotes, or go to the emergency department, and they can coordinate with medical facilities if transport is needed. Poisons experts are available 24/7 and can offer region-specific instructions, often with language support. Emergency departments are essential if there are life-threatening symptoms or if Poison Control directs you there, but they are not the first point of contact for triage. Regulatory agencies handle safety and regulation, not patient medical guidance, and police are not the appropriate source for medical triage in poisoning cases.