Objective To understand the occurrence and characteristics of occupational pesticide poisonings in Nantong, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of pesticide poisonings.
Methods Data on occupational pesticide poisonings from 2006 to 2014 in Nantong were collected from the national occupational disease surveillance and reporting system to perform statistical analysis by Excel 2003 and SPSS 17.0. The fatality rate of pesticide poisonings in each year was calculated. The age distribution, gender distribution, and time distribution of poisoning cases, as well as the distribution of pesticides, were analyzed.
Results From 2006 to 2014, a total of 1 822 cases of occupational pesticide poisoning were reported in Nantong, of which 5 cases died with a fatality rate of 0.27%. The occurrence of occupational poisoning cases showed fluctuations and a downward trend in general. Female cases were more than male cases. A majority of occupational pesticide poisoning cases were reported by the victims older than 45 years (1 524/1 822, 83.64%), in which the 55-64 years old age group accounted for the largest proportion (633/1 822, 34.74%). The reported pesticide poisoning cases mainly occurred from July to September. Organophosphorus pesticides (1 056/1 822, 57.96%) and amino acid esters (542/1 822, 29.75%) were major types of pesticides that caused occupational poisonings; methomyl, methamidophos, and parathion (including parathion-methyl) ranked the top three agents.
Conclusion The occurrence of occupational pesticide poisoning cases in Nantong shows a downward trend in general. Occupational pesticide poisonings mainly occur from July to September. Organophosphorus pesticides and amino acid esters are the major causes.
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