This article has as objective the discussion of the severity of intoxications by cholinesterase inhibitor insecticides, which happened in the Northwest of Paraná, Brasil, starting from an exploratory descriptive study, with retrospective analysis of epidemiological data sheets of the Intoxications Control Center in the University Hospital of Maringá, Paraná, Brasil, referring to patients intoxicated from January, 1994 to December, 2005. 529 cases were analyzed, 168 (31,7%) for organophosphates and 167 (31,5%) for carbamates. The suicide attempt represented 257 cases (48,5%), the occupational exposure 140 (26,5%), and the accidental 124 (23,5%). Comparing the number of severe intoxications and deaths, it was verified from 100% of deaths to cases severe occupational exposure, 20% for the suicide attempt and 7,5% deaths for the accidental intoxications classified as severe. The high incidence of serious intoxication and mortality suggest preventive strategies in respect of the usage of the insecticides, aiming to restrict the indiscriminate access to these powerful toxic agents.
Poisoning; Insecticides; Morbidity; Public health nursing
