Citation

Bateman DN. Medicine (Abingdon) 2003; 31(9): 1-3.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Medicine Publishing)

DOI

10.1383/medc.31.9.1.27704

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Poisoning can present in various ways. Doctors are most familiar with acute cases, but poisoning may be chronic, from sources such as the environment, food and water supplies and the release of industrial waste products. Poisoning may also be classified as accidental or deliberate (Figure 1). Sources from which information on poisoning incidents can be obtained include mortality data for accidental poisoning and suicide, hospital admission or discharge data, and enquiries to poisons information services. In addition, some countries collect separate information on chemical exposures.