[Agricultural pesticide-related poisonings in Italy: cases reported to the Poison Control Centre of Milan in 2000-2001].
OBJECTIVE
Aim of the present study is to provide a preliminary description of agricultural pesticide-related poisonings in Italy.


METHODS
The study focuses on the cases with at least one sign or symptom due to exposure to agricultural pesticides occurred in 2000-2001 and referred to the Poison control centre of Milan, the Italian centre more frequently consulted nationwide.


RESULTS
During the study period, 872 agricultural pesticide-related poisonings were identified. Most of the observed cases occurred in Sicily (n=199), Lombardy (n=100), Apulia (n=99), Veneto (n=75), Emilia-Romagna (n=67) and Campania (n=59). About 86% of the observed cases were unintentional and about 76% of them were men. Children aged 10 or less accounted for about 6% of the total. The poisonings occurred more frequently at home (about 38%) than at workplace (about 24%). The chemical classes of agents more frequently reported were: organophosphates (233 cases), copper and sulphur compounds (140 cases), carbamates (126 cases) and pyrethrins/pyrethroids (102 cases). The top six pesticides associated with poisonings were methomyl (97 cases), dimethoate (59 cases), copper sulfate (58 cases), glyphosate (53 cases), sulphur compounds other than copper sulfate (47 cases), and paraquat dichloride (41 cases).


CONCLUSIONS
The data here presented provide an initial support to identify priorities for prevention in agricultural settings.
Davanzo
Franca
F
Centro antiveleni, Ospedale Niguarda Cà Granda, Milano.
Settimi
Laura
L
Faraoni
Lorella
L
Maiozzi
Pietro
P
Travaglia
Angelo
A
Marcello
Ida
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D016573:Agrochemicals / Q000506:poisoning*; D018563:Disease Notification; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010575:Pesticides / Q000506:poisoning*; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance
D016573:Agrochemicals; D010575:Pesticides