The spectrum of poisonings in Hong Kong: an overview

Poisoning is an important health problem in Hong Kong. In 1990 alone, 6500 patients were treated in Hong Kong hospitals and there were 245 deaths. Two hospital-based studies indicated that exposures to poisons were intentional in the majority (96%) of adult cases, with hypnotics/sedatives (34%), household products (16%) and analgesics (14%) being most often used. Apart from drugs and chemicals, accidental poisoning may occur after the ingestion of Chinese medicines or vegetables contaminated with methamidophos. The former may contain highly toxic aconitine or podophyllin, declared and undeclared western drugs such as phenylbutazone and aminopyrine, and heavy metals. It is important that there be a continuing effort to collect information on the factors leading to and the pattern of poisonings in Hong Kong and other Southeast Asian countries. This is particularly valuable for childhood poisoning so that appropriate preventive measures can be taken.