Citation

Leveridge YR. Vet. Hum. Toxico. 1998; 40(1): 42-44.

Affiliation

Centro Nacional De Control De Intoxicaciones, Hospital Nacional De Ninos, San Jose, Costa Rica.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, American College of Veterinary Toxicologists)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9467210

Abstract

A retrospective study at the Poison Control Center of Costa Rica describes the pattern of pesticide poisoning that occurred during 1996. A total of 1274 pesticide exposures were reported. Occupational exposures were the most frequent (38.5%), followed by accidental situations (33.8%) and suicidal attempts (22.5%). The male to female ratio was 2.4:1. Eighty-percent of the patients had symptoms at the moment of the consult. Organophosphates, carbamates and bipyridyliums were the agents mostly involved (46%); clinical findings with these products were nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness and headache. Calls came mainly from hospitals and clinics (75%) followed by home calls (18.2%). Education of the users of pesticides and the community in general is essential to creating an awareness of the toxicity of these agents and to reduce morbidity cases.

Language: en