[Acute pesticide poisoning--a global public health problem].
Following the intensification of agriculture and the promotion of agro-chemicals in low and middle income countries, acute pesticide poisoning has become a major public health problem with more than 300,000 deaths each year around the world. The easy availability of highly toxic pesticides in the homes of farming communities has made pesticides a preferred choice for suicide with an extremely high case fatality. Similarly, the extensive use of pesticides exposes the community to both long-term and acute occupational health problems. A concerted effort is urgently needed to address this problem.
Konradsen
Flemming
F
Københavns Universitet, Institut for Folkesundhedsvidenskab, Afdelingen for International Sundhed, København N. f.konradsen@pubhealth.ku.dk
D000208:Acute Disease; D000383:Agriculture; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014943:Global Health; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000145:classification / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D010575:Pesticides / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
D015386:Hazardous Substances; D010575:Pesticides