Which of the following is most likely not toxic or harmful if swallowed?

• A. A piece of paper towel
• B. Bleach
• C. Motor oil
• D. Detergent

Answer: (A)

Ingestion hazards of common household items vary by how their chemicals interact with the body. A piece of paper towel is made of inert cellulose and isn’t a chemical irritant or toxin in small amounts, so swallowing a small bit is unlikely to cause chemical harm. Bleach is a caustic oxidizer that can burn the mouth, throat, and stomach lining if swallowed, and it can cause symptoms like vomiting and abdominal pain. Motor oil contains hydrocarbons; swallowing it can irritate the GI tract and, if it’s aspirated during vomiting, can lead to serious lung irritation. Detergents contain surfactants and often alkaline components, which can irritate or burn the mouth and esophagus and cause vomiting.

So, among these, the piece of paper towel is the least likely to be toxic if swallowed. If anything is swallowed in a concerning amount or there are symptoms like vomiting, difficulty swallowing, or trouble breathing, seek medical help or contact poison control.