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1-800-222-1222
When accidents happen with chemicals, medicine, or household items, call Poison Help. Get help right away from a local poison expert.
If someone is unconscious or has trouble breathing, call 911.
The Poison Help Line
The Poison Help Line
The toll-free Poison Help line, 1-800-222-1222, which connects you to your local poison center, is your resource for help in a poisoning emergency.
When you call, you will speak with a specially trained nurse, pharmacist, or doctor at your local poison center.
You can call from anywhere in the United States and many territories.
- The call is free and confidential.
- Translation is available in 161 languages.
- People usually get the help they need over the phone. Most people do not have to go to a doctor or the hospital.1 Poison Help can also help you learn about your risks before an emergency.
This Web site tells you about poisons, poison safety and prevention, and when to contact your poison center. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), funds the Poison Help line (1-800-222-1222), which connects you to your local poison center, and Poison Help Web site. Visit Reports and Studies for statistics about calls to Poison Help.
The Federal Program
The Poison Control Program is authorized through Public Law 110-377, the Poison Center Support, Enhancement, and Awareness Act of 2008. This is an amendment to Public Law 108-194, which was enacted in 2003. The HRSA Poison Control Program is legislatively mandated to:
- Fund poison centers serving all states, Puerto Rico, District of Columbia, Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, and American Samoa.
- Establish and maintain a single, national toll-free number (1-800-222-1222) that connects callers with the poison center serving their area.
- Implement a nationwide media campaign to educate the public and health care providers about poison prevention, poison center services, and the 1-800 number.
Other activities supported by the Poison Control Program include:
- Programs to support the enhancement and improvement of poison education, prevention, and treatment.
- Partnership development with other Federal agencies and national organizations to advance poison prevention awareness.
- Development of uniform patient management guidelines so that poison centers can provide uniform poison treatment recommendations.
- Improvement of data collection systems and toxic exposure surveillance for enhanced capability to capture national poisoning data.
- Multilingual interpreter service in 161 languages to anyone who calls the 1-800 number.
1. Bronstein AC, Spyker DA Cantilena LR, Green JL, Rumack BH, Giffin SL. 2008 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ National Poison Data System (NPDS): 26th Annual Report. 2009. Clinical Toxicology (2009) 47, 911–1084. 
