This list covers 9 poisons that start with the letter Z, ranging from “Zinc Phosphide” to “Zolpidem (Ambien) Overdose.” They span rodenticides, crop fungicides, toxic plants, mold-produced compounds, and common household items, along with at least one prescription medication. Some show up on farms and in gardens, others hide in everyday products like coins and sleep aids, and a few come from nature itself.
Poisons are substances that harm or kill living things when they enter the body, whether through swallowing, breathing, or skin contact. Some occur naturally in plants and molds, while others are manufactured for pest control, farming, or medicine. One notorious example, Zyklon B, began as an insecticide before becoming infamous for its use in mass killings, a stark reminder of how a single chemical can serve very different purposes.
Below you’ll find the table with the poison, source, effects, antidote, and description for each entry.
Poison: the name of the substance, so you can quickly identify which one you’re looking up.
Source: where the poison comes from or how it’s typically encountered, helping you spot it in daily life.
Effects: what happens to the body after exposure, so you understand the risks involved.
Antidote: the treatment or reversal option available, showing you what response is possible in an emergency.
Description: a short overview that ties the poison’s origin and danger together in plain language.
Poisons
| Poison | Source | Effects | Antidote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc Phosphide | Rodenticide (pest control pellets and powders) | Releases toxic phosphine gas in stomach acid, causing nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and pulmonary or organ damage | No specific antidote; treatment is supportive care and preventing further absorption |
| Zyklon B (Hydrogen Cyanide) | Cyanide-based fumigant historically used as an insecticide | Blocks the body’s cells from using oxygen, leading to rapid suffocation, seizures, and death within minutes | Hydroxocobalamin or amyl nitrite and sodium thiosulfate (cyanide antidote kit) |
| Ziram | Dithiocarbamate fungicide used in agriculture and as an animal repellent | Irritates skin, eyes, and airways; large exposures can cause nausea, tremors, and nerve or reproductive harm | No specific antidote; supportive treatment and decontamination |
| Zineb | Dithiocarbamate fungicide sprayed on crops | Causes skin and respiratory irritation; chronic exposure has been linked to thyroid disruption | No specific antidote; supportive care |
| Zearalenone | Mycotoxin produced by Fusarium mold growing on stored corn and grain | Mimics the hormone estrogen, disrupting reproduction and causing fertility problems in livestock and possibly humans | No specific antidote; activated charcoal and supportive care may help after ingestion |
| Zigadenine | Toxic alkaloid found in death camas plants (genus Zigadenus) | Causes drooling, vomiting, low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, and dangerous cardiac arrhythmias | Atropine can help counter the heart and nervous system effects, alongside supportive care |
| Zamia | Toxic cycasin compound found in the seeds and roots of Zamia palm-like plants | Damages the liver and nervous system, causing vomiting, weakness, and a staggering gait in animals that eat it | No specific antidote; supportive care and liver support |
| Zinc (Zinc Toxicosis) | Ingested metal objects such as pennies, screws, or zinc oxide ointment | Destroys red blood cells causing anemia, along with vomiting, lethargy, and kidney or liver damage | No specific antidote; chelation therapy and removal of the metal object can help |
| Zolpidem (Ambien) Overdose | Prescription sedative-hypnotic sleep medication | Causes extreme drowsiness, confusion, slowed breathing, and in severe cases coma | Flumazenil may partially reverse effects, alongside supportive care |