Cases of poisoning reported to French poison control centers in 2006

This article presents a summary of cases of exposure to toxic substances reported to the 10 French poison control and toxicovigilance centers in 2006 as part of the "toxicological emergency response." The data were extracted from the national database of poisoning cases and activity reports. In 2006, 197,042 cases of human exposure were reported and 130,463 were analyzed, the majority (82.5%) of which were accidental. In these cases, children aged 1 to 4 years represent the most common age group (46.3%), and pharmaceutical products (28%), followed by household products (19.2%), are most frequently involved. Intentional poisonings (14.1%) are primarily due to suicidal behavior (92.6%) and predominantly involve women (62.4%). Pharmaceutical products (65.8%), and in particular acetaminophen (9.8%), are most frequently involved. Fatal poisonings, numbering 138, are mostly intentional (65.4%) and occur among people aged 30 to 59 (53.8%); ethanol (15.2%), carbon monoxide (14.5%), and smoke from fires (5.8%) are the most common agents involved.

Author(s): Villa A, Cochet A, Guyodo G

Publishing year: 2008

Pages: 825-31

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