Abstract

GUTIERREZ LESMES, Oscar Alexander; LOBOA RODRIGUEZ, Nelly Johana  and  PLATA CASAS, Laura Inés. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION OF POISSONING WITH CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF META-COLOMBIA, PERIOD 2009-2014. Biosalud [online]. 2017, vol.16, n.1, pp.30-42. ISSN 1657-9550.  https://doi.org/10.17151/biosa.2017.16.1.5.

Introduction: Chemical poisoning is a public health problem, affecting the population of the municipalities of Meta. Objective: To describe the epidemiological situation of chemical poisoning in the department of Meta. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, using statal public health data bases (2009-2014) consisting of 5,208 cases of poisoning reported in this period. The incidence, morbidity, mortality, substance type, geographic location, type and route of exposure, age and sex were analyzed. Results: Pesticides cause the highest number of poisonings of the Meta, causing 68% of incidence and 66% of mortality, and other types of substances cause 27.7% of cases of morbidity and 34% of mortality. 52.1% of the poisonings occur accidentally, followed by suicidal and occupational intent with 21.2% and 18.1% respectively; the routes of exposure were oral, respiratory and dermal. Discussion: Meta is a department characterized by high agricultural production and agricultural frontier expansion, which would explain the high incidence of pesticides, the use of chemicals in suicides occur due to the easy access of substances; occupational exposure is linked to agricultural and livestock activities, accidental exposure occurs through improper handling of chemicals in homes and environmental pollution. Conclusions: Agricultural activity in the department of Meta, along with everyday activities such as cleaning and pest control in homes bring the use of chemicals, this proximity allows exposure to these substances and the subsequent intoxication which generates morbidity and human mortality.

Keywords : intoxication; environmental risks; chemicals; pesticides; hydrocarbons.

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