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.