SURVEY OF PESTICIDE POISONING IN SRI-LANKA

Abstract

This study included a sample survey of the clinical records of patients admitted to different hospitals in Sri Lanka, and showed that 13,000 patients are admitted to the hospital annually for pesticide poisoning and that each year 1000 of them die. Suicidal attempts account for 73% of the total, and occupational and accidental poisoning accounts for 24.9%. Urgent action should be taken to minimize the extent of the problem.