[Characterization of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases in China between 1989 and 2003].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases reported in China between 1989 and 2003, and to study the characteristics of severe acute occupational poisoning accidents and provide scientific evidences for prevention and control strategies.


METHODS
The data from the national occupational poisoning case reporting system were analyzed with descriptive methods.


RESULTS
(1) There were 273 severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases for 15 years with 1638 workers poisoned and 600 workers died, which accounted for 53.95% in total accidents and 35.17% of workers poisoned and 78.64% of workers died of all severe acute occupational poisoning accidents. The average poisoning age was (33.8 +/- 9.7) years old and the average death age was (36.6 +/- 10.0) years old. (2) Most of the accidents were caused by hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide respectively, and mainly occurred in chemical industry, mining, water disposal industry, paper making industry and brewing industry. The risk was higher in some jobs than others, such as cleanout, machine maintenance and repair, production, mine and digging. The poisoning accidents occurred more frequently from April to September each year and occurred in the confined space, in the basement and the mine, and workers died of poisoning mostly were men.


CONCLUSIONS
(1) The severe acute occupational poisoning accidents related to asphyxiating gases are more dangerous than others. (2) The control of poisoning accidents related to hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, which occurred easily in the confined space, should be paid more attention to, and good work practice should be developed on some posts, such as digging, cleanout, dredge, machine maintenance and repair and mine.
Zhang
Min
M
National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Li
Tao
T
Wang
Huan-Qiang
HQ
Wang
Hong-Fei
HF
Chen
Shu-Yang
SY
Du
Xie-Yi
XY
Qin
Jian
J
Zhang
Shuang
S
Ji
Li-Ying
LY
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005739:Gas Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult