Abstract
Background and objectives The objective of this study is to evaluate the epidemiological and toxicological characteristics of chemical exposures requiring Emergency Department consultation. Methodology Descriptive study of Hospital Emergency Department consultations between 2000 and 2008 derived from exposure to a chemical agent. Results A total of 992 patients were included; the mean age was 42.7 + 18 years and 58.1% were female. The main causes were domestic accidents (67.3%), occupational accidents (14.8%), attempted suicides (11.2%) and incidents of violence (3.2%). There was a significantly greater proportion of females involved in domestic accidents and males in occupational accidents (p < 0.05). The most-frequently involved products were caustic substances (39.9%), irritating gases (13.8%), detergents (12.3%), solvents (12%) and asphyxiating gases (9.5%). Hospital admission was necessary in 10.8% of patients and 10 deaths occurred (1%), with non-occupational accidents being more severe (p < 0.05). Conclusions Exposures to chemical agents represent a high number of poisonings in Emergency Department. Domestic accidents, which mainly affect women and often involve caustic substances, are much more frequent than occupational accidents. The general prognosis is good and mortality is very low.
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