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Document ID (ISN)106070
CIS number 07-151
ISSN - Serial title 0271-3586 - American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Year 2006
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Calvert G.M., et al.
Title Acute pesticide-related illness among emergency responders, 1993-2002
Bibliographic information May 2006, Vol.49, No.5, p.383-393. Illus. 22 ref.
Abstract Emergency services personnel are among the first to arrive at a pesticide-related release event. In this study, data on pesticide poisoning magnitude, severity, and risk from various sources in 21 States were reviewed. Acute occupational pesticide-related illness incidence rates for each category of emergency services worker were calculated. A total of 291 cases were identified. Firefighters accounted for 111 cases, law enforcement officers for 104 cases, emergency medical technicians for 34 cases and 42 cases were unspecified. Most were exposed while performing activities related to a pesticide release event (84%) and not involving patient care, while the remainder involved exposure to pesticide-contaminated patients. A majority of cases were exposed to insecticides (51%). Most had low severity illnesses (90%). The incidence rate was highest for firefighters and law enforcement officers. The findings suggest the need for greater efforts to prevent acute occupational pesticide-related illness among emergency responders.
Descriptors (primary) pesticide poisoning; acute poisoning; spills; emergency services; pesticides
Descriptors (secondary) analysis of accident causes; USA; fire services; severity rates; health care personnel; police forces; frequency rates; insecticides
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceUSA
Subject(s) Commerce, services, offices
Toxic and dangerous substances
Broad subject area(s) Chemical safety
Browse category(ies) Agricultural chemicals