A poison exposure is the ingestion of or contact with a substance that can produce toxic effects. A poisoning is a poison exposure that results in bodily harm. (Definitions adapted from personal correspondence with American Association of Poison Control Centers, 2002.)

Poison exposures can occur by accident without intent, and these exposures are defined as unintentional poisonings. In some situations, poison exposures are the result of a conscious, willful decision; these cases are defined as intentional poisonings.