The incidence rate of chemical food poisonings in the Lublin province between 1976 and 1998.

The aim of the study was to analyse the chemical poisonings in the Lublin province in the years 1976-1998. The analysis was based on the archive materials obtained from the Regional Unit for Control of Epidemics and Hygiene Promotion in Lublin. The findings demonstrate that chemical poisonings in the Lublin province compared to the whole country are a relevant epidemiological problem and that their most common causes include the consumption of toxic alcohols--mainly ethanol or other chemical substances and ethanol overdosage. Moreover, the health education system of the society should be systematically improved.