[Studies on poisonings and incidents caused by chemicals in Japan]

The criminal cases of poisonings caused by poisonous, deleterious or other hazardous chemicals in Japan were studied. The data (111 cases) were collected mainly from the newspaper database (Aug. 1984-Feb. 1999). More than half cases were caused by chemicals which are regulated by the "Poisonous and Deleterious Substance Control Law". Copy-cat poisonings occurred in succession in 1984-1985 and 1998. Many cases occurred at the laboratories of institutes and universities, and hospitals where there are various kinds of chemical reagents. The cases of chemical incidents such as those which occurred while transportation were also discussed.