[Evaluation of the treat of acute poisoning with chemical compounds among adult inhabitants of Krakow in 1995]. / Ocena zagrozenia ostrymi zatruciami substancjami chemicznymi wsród doroslych mieszkanców Krakowa w 1995 roku.

The goal of this study is to evaluate the number and the reasons (poison and structure) of acute poisonings which occurred among Kraków adult inhabitants in the year 1995. Under analysis there were 3003 people treated at the Department of Clinical Toxicology and 210 poisoned who died at the place of accident prior to any treatment was conducted. The group of hospitalized persons consisted of 63.7% men and 36.3% women, and the group of people who died at the place of accident consisted of 89.5% men and of 10.5% women. The overall coefficient of poisonings during the year 1995 was 48.3; for men was 66.7 and 32.5 for women. A drugs (45.1%) followed by ethanol (42.8%) were the most common cause of acute poisonings. The mortality rate of the treated patients was low (0.7%), but while including those people who died at the place of accident prior to any treatment, the mortality rate rose up to 7.2%. That increase in the mortality rate was caused mainly by fatal cases due to ethanol and carbon monoxide poisonings.

[Acute poisoning with psychoactive substances among adult abusers of the Krakow population]. / Ostre zatrucia srodkami psychoaktywnymi wsród uzaleznionych dorostych mieszkanców Krakowa.

The aim of the study was to evaluate a frequency and the course of acute poisonings with psychoactive substances in abusers, considering the kind of toxic substance. 25% of all acute poisonings treated in the Department of Clinical Toxicology in the year 1996 that were acute poisonings with psychoactive substances among the abusers of Kraków adult population. Alcohol followed by narcotics and drugs and by organic solvents was predominant cause of acute poisonings in that group. Opiates derivatives as the so called kompot produced at home from poppy straw or juice of poppy head were the most common narcotics. Pure amphetamine was detected only in 5.3%, while as combination with other narcotics (opioids, THC, LSD) was detected in 31.2% of narcomans and drug abusers. The combination of opioids, barbiturates and benzodiazepines was predominant cause of acute intoxications with mixed substances abuse. That was followed by combination of opiates and barbiturates in the group of patient identified positively as two or more substance abuse in the body fluids. Tramal and benzodiazepines were the most detected drugs responsible for acute intoxications between drug abusers. Acute intoxicated ethanol abusers aged from 30-49 years and were the oldest group compared to narcotics and drug abusers (20-29 years) and to organic solvent dependent patient (15-19 years).

[Essential, economic and social significance of the Poison Information Center for public health]. / Znaczenie merytoryczne, ekonomiczne i spoleczne Osrodka Informacji Toksykologicznej w ochronie zdrowia.

The role of toxicological information consisting of chemical substance toxicity, clinical signs and symptoms, treatment and diagnosis of poisonings is presented in the study. These data are collected in computer programmes TOKSY 5, TOKSY7 (MacroSoft Warazawa) which together with American CCIS data base (MICROMEDEX, Denver, Colorado) and IPCS INTOX Database are helpful instrument while giving the toxicological information or/and medical consulting. All cases are registered in IPCS (International Programme on Chemical Safety) INTOX SYSTEM data base that enables epidemiological analysis and also an evaluation of economical and social effects caused by poisonings.

[Selected chemical compounds as potential sources of massive poisoning. Physicochemical properties, poisoning symptoms, treatment]. / Wybrane zwiazki chemiczne stanowiace potencjalne zródlo zatruc masowych. Wlasciwosci fizyko-chemiczne, objawy zatrucia, postepowanie lecznicze.

Characteristics of 42 chemical compounds (17 gases and 24 liquids) sustaining potential danger of massive poisonings in case of accident or chemical disaster is presented. Description of each substance includes: physiocochemical properties, pathophysiology and symptoms of acute poisonings with those chemicals. Rules and procedures of treatment are presented including premedical first aid and medical treatment.