Pesticide poisonings China

Growth of the agrochemical industry in China has been accompanied by problems related to quality control, unsafe application of chemicals, and pesticide residues. According to a report from the Chinese National Statistics Bureau, 48,377 pesticide poisoning cases, including 3,204 fatalities, were reported in 27 provinces in 1995. Another government estimate placed total farm worker fatalities due to pesticides at 7,000-10,000 annually. 

In 1995, the National Statistics Bureau in China reported 49,311 pesticide poisoning cases (accidents and suicides) in 27 provinces, including 3204 deaths. Of these, 15,000 cases occuiTed during occupational pest control activities of which 91% involved OPs and a fatality rate of 0.5% (75 cases). The reporting system was only set up in 1992 and needs improving some areas have not established a reporting system while in other ai eas reporting is limited. It is... 

Finally, herbal products imported from China may be contaminated with pesticides or with heavy metals added during the manufacturing process. Contaminated Chinese herbals have led to cases of arsenic, lead, mercury, thallium, and cadmium poisoning. Similarly, investigations of traditional Indian Ayurvedic remedies have shown them to sometimes contain dangerous levels of lead, zinc, mercury, arsenic, aluminum, and tin. 

Chen, S. and Yao, P., Heavy OP poisoning toll in China, Pesticides News 32, June 1996... 

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