Paraquat poisoning in Papua New Guinea.
Forty seven cases of paraquat poisoning which have occurred in Papua New Guinea since 1969 are reported. There were thirty five fatalities. Most cases of poisoning were due to ingestion but six fatal cases followed skin absorption. Because reporting systems are inadequate many other cases of paraquat poisoning have not been recorded. The toxicology, symptomatology and treatment of paraquat poisoning are briefly reviewed. The Papua New Guinea Government is urged to urgently introduce comprehensive pesticide control legislation.
D000059:Accidents; D000383:Agriculture; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D010219:Papua New Guinea; D010269:Paraquat / Q000506:poisoning*; D011635:Public Health Administration; D013405:Suicide
D010269:Paraquat