The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of pesticide poisoning in South Korea and the relevant epidemiologic characteristics. During the period of 1996-2005, an approximate average of twenty-five hundred fatalities occurred per year due to pesticide poisoning, while age-standardized mortality rates by pesticide poisoning significantly increased from 4.42 to 6.42 per 100,000 population. Intentional self-poisoning was the primary cause of death due to pesticides (84.8% of total pesticide poisoning deaths). The prevalence of non-fatal pesticide poisoning among farmers varied from 5.7% to 86.7%. Paraquat was the leading causative agent for pesticide poisoning, followed by organophosphate insecticides. A variety of work-related factors such as pesticide usage, pesticide application days, hazardous practices and poor personal hygiene were significantly related with pesticide poisoning. The majority of the poisoned were male, elderly individuals possessing low levels of education and residing in rural areas. The number of pesticide poisoning cases was the highest during the growing season of May to August. Further evaluation of the incidence and risk factors of pesticide poisoning at the national level in South Korea is warranted to reduce the number of victims of pesticide poisoning.
Pesticides ; Poisoning aspects ; South Korea ; seconds ; Poisoning

Data concerning clinical cases of pesticide poisoning/disorders were collected from members of the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine during 2001-2003, and were analyzed statistically.A total of 194 cases of poisoning/disorders by pesticide exposure were reported from 36 hospitals and other medical institutions. Suicide cases accounted for 74% of the total number of cases, which was followed by the cases caused by exposure during spraying (17%) and drinking/eating by mistake (7%).In 144 suicide cases, those of males accounted for 52%, the middle-aged and older people constituted the majority. By types of clinical manifestations, almost all of the cases were acute or subacute pesticide poisoning (98%). Organophosphate insecticides were the most frequent inducers of the cases (39%), which was followed by bipyridylium herbicides (23%). When it comes to the outcome, more than 80% of suicide cases with paraquat products resulted in death.There were 39 cases of pesticide poisoning/disorders resulting from exposure during spraying, preparation or settling, and working in sprayed area. In these cases, males accounted for 70% the middle-aged and older people made up the majority. By types of clinical manifestations, the cases of acute or subacute pesticide poisoning accounted for 39%, which was followed by acute dermatitis (33%), chemical burn (14%), and ocular disorders (11%). The pesticides that induced clinical cases varied greatly. Main factors contributing to the onset of pesticide poisoning/disorders were insufficient protective clothing (44%), self conceit (19%), insufficient information (14%), and carelessness (12%).
Pesticides ; Clinical ; Poisoning aspects ; Acute ; Cases

In japan, pesticides have been used increasingly after World War II and pesticide poisoning has been a major issue of rural medicine. In other Asian countries, pesticide poisoning also seems to be a great concern of rural medicine and occupational and environmental medicine as well. We reviewed the results of research on the prevention of pesticide poisoning in Asia with the reports of international organizations and articles which appeared in medical journals.The WHO Glabal Information Network on Chemicals worked out an international protocol to collect and analyze the cases of pesticide poisoning, and is carrying out hospital-based surveys in east and south Asia from 1998. These data were discussed in comparison with the results of our hospital-based survey of pesticide poisoning in 1998-2000.Also, FAO has been exploring the concept of “community integrated pest management (CIPM)” from 1999, in Asian countries. In a project related to this, farmers were asked to report their pesticide use and symptoms, and researchers analyzed the data and gave advice to the farmers, and these practices produced so fruitful findings that the farmers have come to refrain from using hazardous pesticides of their own accord. These research projects are expected to complementarily contribute to the prevention of pesticide poisoning. We resumed the hospital-based survey of pesticide poisoning in 1996, and have collected and analyzed several hundreds cases. In order to reduce pesticide poisoning in Japan and other Asian countries, we are interested in rendering cooperation in those projects.
Pesticides ; Poisoning aspects ; Prevention ; Asia ; Review [Publication Type]

Objective: We analyzed the number of deaths due to poisoning by pesticides over 38 years through vital statistics published annually by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of the Japanese government, from 1968 through 2005. Materials and Methods: Data not published as vital statistics were obtained from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Statistics and Information Department. The vital statistics provide the numbers of deaths with individual causes of death classified by sex and 5-year age group. We also calculated age-adjusted death rates by this classification, using a direct method based on the 1985 Japanese model population. Results: Deaths from pesticide poisoning increased rapidly beginning in 1982, reached a peak in 1986 (death rate per 100,000 population: 2.6 in males and 1.7 in females) and declined gradually thereafter. In the most recent several years, these figures have declined to levels previously unseen (death rate per 100,000 population: 0.4 in males and 0.3 in females). A difference in death rates between the sexes was observed at every age level, with death rates of males approximately 1.1-1.5-fold those of females. In the 1985-1987 data, these figures were highest in the three prefectures of northern Kanto (Tochigi, Gunma, and Ibaraki Prefectures; crude death rates per 100,000 population: 6.8, 6.8, 6.2, respectively), followed by that in Kagoshima Prefecture (5.0). In the 2003-2005 data, the figure was highest in southern Kyushu (Miyazaki Prefecture; crude death rate per 100,000 population: 1.9), followed by Tochigi (1.6), Ibaraki (1.4), and Kagoshima (1.4). Conclusions: Deaths from pesticide poisoning were extremely well correlated to the history of paraquat. Through the 1985 Advisory Resolution on Paraquat Regulations by the Japanese Association of Rural Medicine and other public health-oriented efforts, the concentration of highly fatal paraquat formulations was reduced, leading to discontinuation of its production, customer identification was strictly enforced when purchasing pesticides, and people's safety consciousness regarding pesticides improved. We regard and these developments as having had the greatest contribution to the reduction in deaths from pesticide poisoning.
Pesticides ; Death Rate ; seconds ; Vital Statistics ; Poisoning aspects

Brucine is the predominant alkaloid present in the bark of the tree Strychnos nux vomica and is a weaker alkaloid when compared to strychnine. However, its toxicological property is akin to strychnine. We report a rare case of brucine poisoning complicated by acute renal failure and rhabdomyolysis. A 24-year-old male presented with a history of consumption of a decoction made from the bark of the Strychnos nux vomica tree. Soon after, he developed widespread muscle spasms and convulsions, which were promptly treated. On the fifth day of admission, he developed features of rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. Investigations revealed elevated creatine phosphokinase levels and elevated blood urea and serum creatinine. The patient was managed with hemodialysis and recovered gradually. There are many reports of strychnine poisoning producing rhabdomyolysis and renal failure. In this case report, attention is drawn to the fact that brucine, although a weaker alkaloid, can also produce life threatening complications like rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure.
Rhabdomyolysis ; Kidney Failure, Acute ; brucine ; Poisoning aspects ; Strychnine