organophosphorous (op) pesticides are used frequently in agriculture, particularly in asian countries over the past decades. poisoning by these agents, either as acute or chronic in these nations, is a serious health problem. op pesticides residue in fruits and vegetables that may not induce early clinical features, could also affect the human health. therefore, medical and health professionals...

A community program of screening and education for prevention of vehicular carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning among a high-risk population in a cross-cultural setting is presented. The program was developed after two infant deaths in separate incidents of vehicular CO poisoning. The results of the screening show 18.6 per cent of vehicles exceeding the Environmental Protection Agency eight-hour stan...

The responses of young children to Denatonium Benzoate (Bitrex) were observed, in order to assess the potential of this bittering agent in the prevention of accidental poisoning. Thirty-three children aged 17-36 months were offered orange juice containing Bitrex (in a concentration of 10 parts per million). Of the 30 children who took some of this juice, only seven were willing to take more tha...

Copper sulphate ingestion (accidental or deliberate) is a rare form of poisoning usually limited to the Indian subcontinent. Though the rates are on the decline, it is essential that physicians are aware of its lethal complications and management strategies. The main complications of copper sulphate ingestion include intravascular haemolysis, methaemoglobinaemia, acute kidney injury and rhabdom...

Availability of drugs with high lethality has been hypothesized to increase the risk of self-poisoning suicides. A literature search concerning deliberate self-poisoning and the effect of restricting access to drugs was conducted, and the effect of restrictions in availability of barbiturates, tricyclic antidepressants, dextropropoxyphene, and weak analgesics was reviewed. The correlations betw...

Hundred consecutive suicide attempters admitted in the Medical Intensive Care Unit(MlCU) of Christian Medical College, Vellore during the period December 1991 to December 1992 were evaluated in detail with respect to all psycho-socio-demographic variables. Instruments used included a specially designed sociodemographic proforma, Gurmeet Singh's Presumptive Stressful Life Event Scale, Suicide In...

Ricin is one of the most poisonous natural toxins from plants and is classified as a Class B biological threat pathogen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of U.S.A. Ricin exposure can occur through oral or aerosol routes. Ricin poisoning has a rapid onset and a short incubation period. There is no effective treatment for ricin poisoning. In this study, an aerosolized ricin-...

A detailed investigation of trends in suicide rates in Scotland from 1974 to 1984 showed a complex pattern. Overall rates for men increased by 40% with the greatest increases in those aged 45-64. In contrast, rates for women showed a small decline, which was most noticeable in those aged 15-24. The well recognised decline in poisoning by domestic gas was seen over this period, and suicide by th...