Fernando R
National Poisons Information Centre, General Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1995;33(6):677-82. doi: 10.3109/15563659509010627.
Pesticide poisoning is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in many countries in the world. It has been estimated that 95% of fatal pesticide poisonings occur in developing countries, many of which are in the Asia-Pacific region. Agriculture based economies, easy availability of pesticides, poverty related socioeconomic problems, lack of adequate protective clothing, and limited treatment facilities are some of the factors contributing to the high morbidity and mortality. There is a lack of easily accessible information on pesticide related ill health in the countries of Asia-Pacific Region. Although Poison Centers are active in some countries, lack of resources is a major constraint on the provision of an efficient service. There are several intercountry projects and information networks in the region dealing with agriculture and environment but no such information facilities are available concerning pesticide poisoning. A Regional Pesticide Poisoning Information Network for the Asia-Pacific Region could disseminate information on pesticide related illness to any individual or institution via print and electronic media. Such a network could work towards close cooperation between all poisons centers and toxicologists in the region to reduce the rising morbidity and mortality from pesticide poisoning.
农药中毒是世界上许多国家发病和死亡的重要原因。据估计，95%的致命农药中毒事件发生在发展中国家，其中许多位于亚太地区。以农业为基础的经济、农药的容易获取、与贫困相关的社会经济问题、缺乏足够的防护服以及有限的治疗设施是导致高发病率和高死亡率的一些因素。亚太地区各国缺乏关于农药相关健康问题的易于获取的信息。尽管一些国家的毒物中心很活跃，但资源匮乏是提供高效服务的主要制约因素。该地区有几个处理农业和环境问题的跨国项目和信息网络，但没有关于农药中毒的此类信息设施。亚太地区区域农药中毒信息网络可以通过印刷和电子媒体向任何个人或机构传播与农药相关疾病的信息。这样一个网络可以致力于该地区所有毒物中心和毒理学家之间的密切合作，以降低农药中毒导致的发病率和死亡率不断上升的情况。
