FAQs- Statistics & Information Childhood Poisonings: Surveillance and Information Webpage

Facts About Poisoning

Poisonings happen every day. In 1996 alone, about 5 million poisoning exposures occurred in the United States, and each year, nearly 900,000 visits to the emergency department occur because of poisonings.

Most poisonings happen in the home and involve children. In 1996, 91% of all poisonings occurred in the home, and 53% involved children under the age of six years. Common household items are often the cause. The poisons usually involved are cleaning products, pain relievers (analgesics), cosmetics, personal care products, plants, and cough and cold preparations.

Poison control centers help millions of people each year, ensuring that poisonings are treated rapidly and correctly. Poison control centers managed more than 2 million cases of poison exposure in 1996. About three fourths of these cases were managed at home over the telephone with the help of specialists trained in poison information.

Poison control centers are extremely cost effective. For every $1 spent on poison control centers, an estimated $7 is saved in medical care costs. By helping people manage emergencies at home, these centers prevent about 50,000 hospitalizations and 400,000 doctor=s visits each year.

References

1 Litovitz TL, Smilkstein M, Felberg L, Klein-Schwartz W, Berlin R, Morgan JL. 1996 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison
Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. Am J Emerg Med 1997;15(5):447-500.

2 Burt CW, Fingerhut LA. Injury Visits to Hospital Emergency Departments: United States, 1992-95. Vital Health Stat 13(131). DHHS publication no. 98-1792. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics, 1998.

3 Miller TR, Lestina DC. Costs of Poisoning in the United States and Savings From Poison Control Centers: A Benefit-Cost Analysis. Ann Emerg Med 1997;29(2):239B45.

Taken from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

This page was created by Jody, ©1999.