Hazardous Plants

Plants that can produce toxins include poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.

If you come into contact with any part of these plants, including leaves, stems, or roots, you could have an allergic reaction with symptoms such as redness, welts, swelling, blisters, or rash.

These plants defend themselves by producing an oily substance that causes irritation to people and animals. If you come into direct contact with a plant, the oil can stay on your skin or clothing for awhile. Other ways to come into contact with the oils are if you touch an object or animal that has the oil on it, or inhale fumes from a burning plant.

Although most people are allergic to the oil these plants produce, a small percentage of people are not affected by it.

To learn more about Outdoor Biological Hazards visit our Outdoor Biological Hazards Online Training web page.