Adults Who Send Children to Their Death
The secretary of the central headquarters and the national drug and poison information center announced details about poisoning from narcotics and stimulants, toxins, detergents, and lead-containing opioids, and warned families about children’s poisoning at home with chemical substances.
Dr. Yasna Bemensh told ISNA that regarding the most common types of poisoning in the country, the most prevalent poisoning that has led to death in recent years has been due to substance abuse, with 57 to 65 percent of annual deaths occurring due to substance use and complications from drug and stimulant addiction. He said: Of course, deaths from substance misuse can include acute substance poisoning, which accounts for approximately 55 percent, deaths from complications of long-term use and related diseases such as HIV and hepatitis infections, which occur in about 37 percent of cases, and deaths from psychoactive substance use, which accounts for approximately eight percent.
Lead Poisoning Among Opium Addicts
Referring to lead poisoning among opium addicts that suddenly increased in the country this year, he continued: Most of those poisoned by lead were people who became poisoned by consuming lead-contaminated opioids. In this regard, it should be noted that drug smugglers manually add lead to their shipments to increase weight, and opium addicts become poisoned by consuming lead-contaminated substances.
80 Percent of Poisoning Deaths Occur in Men
Stating that according to statistics from the country’s forensic medicine organization, unfortunately 80 percent of poisoning deaths occur in men and 20 percent in women, he added: Of course, the gender distribution of poisoned individuals who visit poison reference hospitals does not follow a similar pattern across the country. For example, at Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran or Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, the percentage of male poisoning victims exceeds that of females.
Bemensh continued in this regard: This is while among those poisoned who visited hospitals in Isfahan province, we see that the percentage of women is higher. On the other hand, the country’s forensic medicine organization has stated that poisoning deaths in men are four times higher than in women, and most male poisonings have been caused by more dangerous substances.
The secretary of the central headquarters and the national drug and poison information center, stating that from an age distribution perspective, the majority of poisoned patients visiting hospitals are in the young age group of 20 to 40 years old, said: The next rank includes poisonings in adolescents and finally in people over 40 years old and also under 12 years old.
Housewives Are Most Commonly Poisoned
Bemensh added: Also, among various professions in society, the highest prevalence of poisoning occurs in housewives, and the important point is that 89 percent of poisoning cases occur at home, which demonstrates the necessity of home safety measures.
Protect Your Children
In this regard, he said: Families with children under five years old should be aware that a 10-year-old student easily passes by a container with shoe wax, miniature batteries found in mobile phone toys, medicine packaging or a cardboard box of toothpaste. However, a two-year-old energetic child who is running around the house and discovering unknowns finds all these items fascinating and will undoubtedly put all these objects in their mouth to identify them. Bemensh advised families that you should look at your home from the perspective of the youngest family member and start from the house entrance, that is, the shoe rack and the wardrobe in front of the door, and by inspecting each room one by one, bathroom, toilet, kitchen, yard and storage room, remove everything that could lead to poisoning from the reach of children. For example, avoid keeping indoor plants so as to prevent the risk of children ingesting and putting toxic plants in their mouths.
Do Not Store Medicines in the Refrigerator
He continued: Also, transfer chemical substances, household detergents, pesticides, medicines, cosmetics and hygiene products to upper cabinets and if possible, lock their doors. At the same time, avoid storing medicines in your refrigerator; because very few medicines require storage in the refrigerator, and in general, storing medicines in the refrigerator is very wrong.
Addicted Adults Who Send Children to Their Death!
The secretary of the central headquarters and the national drug and poison information center, stating that every year we witness the deaths of children and relatives of addicts undergoing methadone treatment, said: Storing methadone syrup, especially in bottles of beverages such as soft drinks and medicine bottles, has so far resulted in the deaths of dozens of children and even adults. At the same time, I emphasize that common medicines do not require refrigeration and should be disposed of after the treatment period ends. On the other hand, necessary medicines should be kept in a locked cabinet, away from reach, and at a height higher than children’s access.
Bemensh added: Families should be aware that when giving medicine to their children, they should not use words such as candy or fruit syrup and the like; because this will encourage the child to consume the medicine. At the same time, in general, avoid storing medicines in bedrooms and drawers under beds, handbags, and in food packaging, do not buy toys with miniature batteries for children, and be careful about children swallowing these types of batteries.
The Danger Called Detergents!
He continued by referring to the toxicity of chemical degreasing agents and drain cleaners, bleaching agents and detergents, and said: These substances are examples of chemical materials, and if accidentally ingested, their burning effects and tissue destruction will lead to perforation of the digestive tract and death. Also, petroleum products should not be stored in children’s play areas such as yards. Because it has happened many times that children, without regard to the smell of petroleum products, have drunk from containers containing gasoline, oil and diesel in play areas when thirsty. Families should note that when encountering these cases, they must quickly transfer the child to the hospital.
Bemensh, stating that fortunately good measures have been taken to prevent poisoning from household detergents by the food and drug organization, added: For example, now the issuance of permits for dangerous detergents is conditional on having a lid resistant to opening by children and also not using fragrances in these products.
Highest Rates of Intentional Poisonings
Declining Trend of Rice Pill Poisoning
In another section of his remarks, stating that drug poisonings and poisonings from pesticides account for the highest causes of intentional poisonings, he said: At the same time, deaths from poisoning due to intentional consumption of rice pills have gradually shown a declining trend in recent years.
10 Percent of Poisoning Deaths Are Due to Rice Pills
According to Bemensh, the mortality rate from poisoning with toxins such as rice pills, pesticides, alcohol, rodenticides and cyanide has been 15 to 18 percent, and among these, rice pills, with more than half of the poisonings caused by these toxins, constitute the leading cause of poisoning deaths from these toxins, and in general, rice pills account for 10 percent of deaths from poisoning.
He continued: At the same time, regarding poisoning from toxins, it should be said that from 2013 to the first half of 2016, the mortality rate from poisoning with toxins has gradually decreased. Also, fortunately, the mortality rate from phosphine aluminum or rice pills has also decreased from 2013 to the first half of 2016, from 11.7 percent to 9.7 percent.
The secretary of the central headquarters and the national drug and poison information center also stated: The number of poisoning patients who have visited hospitals due to rice pill consumption has also been declining, and this decline is noticeable. Of course, even one case of this poisoning should not be observed. Because the distribution, buying and selling of this toxin for household use throughout the country is prohibited and is considered contraband, and buying, selling and using it carries punishment.
Contraband Poison That Takes Lives in Iran!
Bemensh added: Of course, since its smuggling continues to exist, the ignorance and negligence of some families regarding the dangers of home use of this poison has unfortunately made our country one of the few countries in the world where deaths from this poison are reported. At the same time, fortunately, with the education of the food and drug organization and the deterrent measures of universities of medical sciences and law enforcement in collecting this contraband poison, the declining trend of rice pill poisoning is a cause for joy.
At the end, he advised the public that when faced with poisoning, they should contact the drug and poison information center by dialing the two-digit telephone code 1490, or call 115 for emergency assistance.
Source: ISNA
