In spite of the world-wide increase of incidence of pesticide poisoning due to greater use of pesticides, the epidemiological study of pesticide poisoning in Korea has been grossly neglected.
The author gained access to the medical records for two-year period (1981 through 1982) from local clinics, hospitals and health centers of Kyung pook area to investigate the status of the pesticide poisoning.
During these two years, there were 1,618 cases of documented pesticide poisoning, of which in 1981 were 765 and in 1982 wert 853
Those in the twenties decade of age was the most frequent and the male (70%) was more liable than the female (30%).
In view of manner of. poisoning, occupational poisoning was 27.8%, accidental 5.60, and suicidal 66.6 %. There are three distinct groups which make up the large majority of both fatal and nonfatal cases ;young children who accidentally ingest pesticides, young to middle age adult who are occupationally poisoned, and middle age to older adults who suicidal ingest pesticides.
The seasonal distribution of these poisonings disclosed the peak month to be July, with August next, followed by June and September. Only 11 % of cases occurred during the three-month winter season of December to February. Thus pesticide-caused poisoning was primarily a summer and early fall occurrence. During these two years, average of 67 cases of poisoning was observed monthly.
Of the pesticide poisoning documented, 49% were treated with poisoning patients from local clinic and 43 %from hospital.
The case fatality rate of occupational poisoning was 0.9%, accidental 5.6% and suicidal 20.3%. The mean overall case fatality rate was 14.1%.
Annual incidence of pesticide poisoning was 25.4 per 100,000 population in the study area.
There is a nationwide need for more reliable date on pesticide poisoning. This need can only grow more acute with the passage of time because of the increasing importance of pesticides as a cause of morbidity and mortality.
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