An estimate of the incidence of pesticide poisoning in Hong Kong.
The exact incidence of vegetable-borne and other types of acute pesticide poisoning among the 6.2 million population of Hong Kong is difficult to determine. Vegetable-borne pesticide poisoning is notifiable and, in 1992, 47 outbreaks of such poisoning (all caused by methamidophos) affected about 329 persons. No similar figures are available for non-vegetable-borne pesticide poisoning, but we calculated it based on our experience at the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) and on reports to our territory-wide Drug and Poisons Information Bureau (DPIB). The PWH serves the 1.2 million population in the New Territories East, where much of the remaining farmland in Hong Kong is situated. Extrapolating from our regional data to the whole of Hong Kong, we estimate that, in subjects aged > or = 15 y between 1988 and 1991, the annual incidence of non-vegetable-borne acute pesticide poisoning from parasuicides, non-farming accidents and work-related accidents was 59, 4 and 1, respectively. Between 1988 and 1992, 5 pediatric cases of non-vegetable-borne pesticide poisoning were reported to the DPIB annually. In the New Territories East, 80% of the acute pesticide poisoning deaths were due to 24% paraquat solution. In Hong Kong, acute pesticide poisoning is relatively uncommon. By maintaining a close surveillance of imported vegetables for excessive methamidophos residues, replacing high concentration paraquat with less toxic formulations, and placing pesticides out of reach of children, much of this morbidity and mortality associated with acute pesticide poisoning can be prevented.
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
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Chan
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Critchley
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Chan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D010575:Pesticides / Q000506:poisoning*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides