Nationwide Survey of Clinical Cases of Pesticide Poisoning (Disorders) in Japan, 1998-2000 FY / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

Data concerning clinical cases of pesticide-induced disorders were collected from members of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine during 1998-2000 FY throughout the nation, and were analyzed statistically.<BR>1) A total of 209 cases of poisoning by agricultural chemicals were reported from 49 hospitals and other medical institutions.<BR>2) By types of clinical manifestations, the majority of the cases were acute or subacute pesticide poisoning (91%), which was followed by acute dermatitis (5%) and chemical burn (3%).<BR>3) Suicide accounted for 67% of the pesticide poisoning cases, which was followed by accidental exposure on the job during spraying (17%), and so forth.<BR>4) Organophosphate insecticides were the most frequent inducers of the clinical cases (34%), which was followed by bipyridylium herbicides (21%) and a carbamate insecticides (9%), and so forth.<BR>5) There were 43 cases of intoxication during spraying, during preparation or settling, and working in sprayed areas By types of clinical manifestations, the majority of the cases were acute or subacute pesticide poisoning (56%), which was followed by acute dermatitis (23%) and chemical burn (16%).<BR>6) Agricultural chemical compounds responsible for the clinical cases varied greatly. They induced organophosphate insecticides (19%), and bipyridylium herbicides (12%).<BR>7) Main factors contributing to the onset of pesticide-related disorders were insufficient protective clothing (32%), carelessness (22%), and inevitable consequences of pesticide use (10%).