Deaths accidental

Pesticides, and especially OCPs (DDT and its metabolytes, HCH isomers, aldrine, dieldrin, heptachlor, etc.), are seen everywhere in mammals. Table 4.7 gives data on the death of higher vertebrates from causes linked to agricultural production in the USSR. About 40% of the accidental deaths of animals, and about 80% of birds, are due to pesticides. It is difficult to evaluate how many mammals in the environment die from pesticide contamination, since sick and weakened individuals fall prey to predators [6]. 

Table 4.7. Causes of accidental death among mammals and birds in the European part of the USSR in the 1980s (in %) [3]... 

A 27- year-old male presents with reactive depression following the accidental death of a close relative. A tricyclic antidepressant is chosen to control his depression. Which adverse effect would not be of concern ... 

It is also important to recognize the causes of accidental deaths, as shown in Table 1-5. Because most, if not all, company safety programs are directed toward preventing injuries to employees, the programs should include off-the-job safety, especially training to prevent accidents with motor vehicles. 

An analysis of 19 deaths from PCP overdose that occurred in two California counties from 1970 to 1976 showed that 12 were accidental, five suicidal, and two homicidal. Eight of the 12 accidental deaths were from drowning. Blood concentrations ranged from 1,250 to 2,300 ng/ml. Virtually all patients with levels of 1,000 ng/ml or more had coma, with the possible evolution of death due to medical complications, seizures, or respiratory depression. Levels greater than 2,000 ng/ml were almost always fatal (12). 

Lewin JF, Cleary WT. 1982. An accidental death caused by the absorption of phenol through skin. A case report. Forensic Sci Int 19 177-179. 

Kintz P, Tracqui A, Mangin P Accidental death caused by the absorption of 2,4-dichlorophenol through the skin. Arch Toxicol 66 298-299, 1992... 

The main acute effect is inebriation, which in turn spawns violence, spousal and child abuse, crime, motor vehicle accidents, workplace and home accidents, drowning, suicide, and accidental death. The chronic effects include alcoholism, liver disease, various forms of cancer, brain disorders, cardiovascular disease and other organ system effects, absence from or loss of work, family dysfunction, and malnutrition. 

Firearms Compared to Other forms of Accidental Death, 2002... 

Looking just at accidental deaths from firearms, one can see a steep decrease from about 1970 to 1990, then a leveling, followed by a more gradual decrease in the late 1990s. Depending on where one stands, this decline can either be attributed to increased adoption of gun safety laws or used as an argument that more such laws are unnecessary. 

After heart disease and cancer, alcohol-related disorders are considered the third most important health problem in the United States, estimated to account for at least one fourth of all hospitalizations in this country. Almost 50% of those who suffer from alcohol dependence also abuse other legal and illicit drugs (see Appendix D). Alcohol is involved in 25% to 35% of all suicides and 50% to 70% of all homicides it also figures prominently in accidental deaths and domestic violence (388, 389). Furthermore, causes of death resulting from excessive alcohol use include the following ... 

One case report describes the accidental death of a worker following acute dermal exposure to pure dichlorophenol (Kintz et al., 1992). [The purity of the solution was not reported nor were the levels of dioxin impurities reported.] The victim (an adult male) had a seizure within 20 min of the accident and died soon thereafter. Dichlorophenol levels in the blood, urine, bile and stomach contents were 24.3, 5.3, 18.7 and 1.2 mg/L, respectively. 

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