Poison Information Service of the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódz. Types of toxicological inquiries 1991-1994.

The National Poison Information Centre and the physicians of the Clinic of Acute Poisonings, the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódz, provide telephone toxicological information to the medical professions and the general public. The most frequently offered advice was for drugs, pesticides, solvents, corrosives and mixtures. The most frequent drug inquiries concerned tranquillizers, hypnotic and psychotropic drugs. Advice to the public most frequently involved the toxic action and composition of various agents. At present, much effort is devoted at the National Poison Information Centre to develop a system of toxicologic information for the general public.

Telephone toxicological information service on pesticide poisonings.

The problem of pesticide poisonings has been discussed with reference to the records of the toxicological information provided in 1993-1995 by the staff of the National Poison Information Centre and the physicians of the Clinic of Acute Poisonings in Lódz. Based on those data, pesticide poisonings occupy second place among the categories of chemical most frequently responsible for acute poisonings, while the first place is occupied by drugs. In the pesticide category, most of the information related to poisonings with pyrethroids, followed by organophosphorous compounds, coumarine derivatives, carbamates. Pesticide poisonings in children continue to be a serious problem. Coumarine derivatives and zinc phosphide found in rodenticides constitute the most frequent source of pesticide poisoning among children. Considering the circumstances of pesticide poisoning, accidental poisonings are the most frequent. The high incidence of pesticide poisoning shows that it is a serious problem and the steps should be taken to prevent poisonings with pesticides.

Acute poisonings with drugs. A review of the data collected at the National Poison Information Centre during the period 1991-1995.

An analysis of the files collected in the National Poison Information Centre reveals that drugs are the most frequent causes of acute poisonings (followed by pesticides and other chemical substances) not only in big cities but also in rural areas. Within the drug poisoning category, about 59% of the toxicological advice related to poisonings in children up to 14 years of age. The most frequent poisonings with drugs related to poisonings with sedative and psychotropic drugs, particularly those containing benzodiazepines, phenothiazine derivatives and tricyclic antidepressants. There were frequent inquiries relating to poisonings with drug mixtures. Self-poisonings were the most frequent cause of poisonings among the adults (87.3%), in children below 14 years of age dominated accidental poisonings (96% of all drug poisonings in children).

[Analysis of toxicological information rendered by the staff of the National Poison Information Center and physicians at the Clinic of Acute Poisoning of the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódz]. / Analiza informacji toksykologicznych udzielanych przez Krajowe Centrum Informacji Toksykologicznej i Klinike Ostrych Zatruc Instytutu Medycyny Pracy w Lodzi.

The article presents structure of toxicological information given by phone to the physicians involved in treatment of acute poisonings, private persons the services monitoring the working environment. The information comprises data on toxic effect on human organism, chemical composition, therapeutic procedure in acute poisonings as well as the data on hazards occurring in every day life. The consultations chiefly regarded poisonings with drugs, pesticides, alcohols, organic solvents and corrosive substances. The analysis has shown that poisonings of children aged below 14 years pose a significant problem. Moreover, it has been noted that there is a growing demand for toxicological consultations among the general population. They play a significant role in education of the society, making them aware of the hazards created by various chemicals used in the households and occurring in the working environment which contributes to promotion of the poisonings prevention.

The National Poison Information Center in Poland.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the national poison information program in Poland. RESULTS: There are nine regional poison information centers in Poland associated with acute poisoning wards or diagnostic laboratories. The National Poison Information Center in Lodz prepares information materials (ITOX database, books, periodicals, leaflets, posters) on treatment and prevention to regional and other health care units treating acute poisoning cases and to the general public. The staff of the National Poison Information Center together with the physicians of the Clinic of Acute Poisonings provide a 24 h poison information service accessible to health care units, work safety services, and the general public.

Acute poisonings in Poland.

The pattern of adolescent and adult poisonings in Poland is presented on the basis of the data from the regional toxicological centers (in-patient treatment centers). Drugs were the most frequent group of chemical substances, responsible for more than 50% of all admissions for acute poisonings. The second most frequent were alcohols with an increase in poisoning by alcohols to about 20% of total poisonings. Carbon monoxide was the third most frequent cause of poisonings. The percentages of poisonings by pesticides, corrosives and metal compounds have been reduced in recent years. The greatest number of lethal outcomes was also due to poisonings by alcohols, drugs, and carbon monoxide.

The pattern of acute poisonings in Poland.

The pattern of poisonings in Poland is presented on the basis of data for 1988-1991 from the regional toxicology centres. Suicidal attempts constituted the most numerous group of poisonings; in recent years, there has been a downward trend to below 50% of all poisoning cases. Drugs, especially sleep-inducing and psychotropic compounds, constituted the most frequent cause of poisonings and accounted for over 50% of all cases. Alcohols were the second most frequent group of poisoning, about 20% of all cases, followed by gases (including CO) at about 10%, and pesticides responsible for 3%. The mortality rate for all poisonings shows a growing trend, from 1.5% in 1989 to 2.0% in 1991. High mortality rates have been observed in poisonings from Amanita phalloides, ethylene glycol, methanol, pesticides (chiefly dipyridyl derivatives and organophosphorous compounds), metal compounds and corrosive substances.

[Death rate in acute poisonings]. / Smiertelnosc w ostrych zatruciach.

The analysis of death rate, based on data for the years 1989-1990, obtained from nine regional centres of clinical toxicology, is reported. A high death rate is observed in poisonings with toxic mushroom (Amanita phalloides), ethylene glycol, methyl, alcohol, pesticides, corrosive substances and metabolic compounds. As to pesticides the highest death rate is produced by poisonings with dipyridyl derivatives and organophosphorous compounds. A low death rate is observed in the case of poisonings with drugs.

[An analysis of causes of acute poisoning in Poland during 1989-1990]. / Analiza przyczyn ostrych zatruc w Polsce w latach 1989-1990.

An analysis was carried out of the structure of acute poisonings, by various toxic agents and preparations, during the period 1989-1990, based on the data from regional centres of clinica toxicology. According to these data, suicidal attempts were the most frequent cause of poisonings. The prevailing agents of the poisonings included drugs, primarily sleep-inducing and psychotropic. Alcohols were placed secondly and the third place agents included gases, organic solvents, pesticides and mushrooms.

[Butylglycol toxicity]. / Toksykologia butyloglikolu.

Basing on literature, the authors evaluate the toxicity of butylglycol, especially its narcotic effects and action inducing parenchymatous organs lesions, symptoms of inhalant, oral and percutaneous intoxications and their treatment.

[TCDD (dioxin) toxicity]. / Toksycznosc TCDD (dioksyny).

Referring to intoxication of people with TCDD (dioxine) in Sevedo near Milan, the authors present a review of literature (primarily results of studies on animals) on the biological results of the effects of this intoxication.

[Toxicology of ethyl gasoline 78 and 94]. / Toksykologia etyliny 78 i 94.

The authors have described clinical pictures of acute and chronic intoxication, especially toxic effect of ethyl gasoline upon nervous sytem, parenchymatous organs, and irritating effect on skin and mucous membranes.