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Abstract
Aims. To explore the circumstances associated with hospital admission of adults of working age for accidental pesticide poisoning in England. Methods. From Hospital Episode Statistics we identified all adults aged 16–69 years who completed hospital admissions nationally for accidental pesticide poisoning during April 1998 to March 2003. Further information was obtained through a postal questionnaire completed by the treating consultant. Results. Questionnaires were returned for 62% of 237 identified admissions, including 89 in which definite or possible accidental pesticide poisoning was confirmed. Fifty-four percent of episodes arose from an identifiable mishap, and 26% from unsatisfactory storage or transport of pesticides. Only two incidents resulted from exposure to spray drift. Three patients needed intensive care, but none died. Discussion. Serious accidental pesticide poisoning is rare among adults in England. There is an important contribution from poor storage of pesticides. Non-occupational acute poisoning by spray drift is seldom if ever a cause of hospital admission.