ENDOSULFAN POISONING IN NORTHERN INDIA - A REPORT OF 18 CASES

Eighteen cases of endosulfan poisoning by accidental overexposure duri ng spray, admitted between October 1995 to September 1997, were observ ed and analyzed. These accounted for approximately one third of the to tal number of poisoning cases admitted in our unit during this period. Nausea, vomiting abdominal discomfort, tonic and clonic convulsions, confusion, disorientation, and muscular twitchings were cardinal manif estations. None of the patients succumbed to their illness. Analysis o f various incriminating factors revealed that accidental overexposure was due to failure to adhere to the instructions for spray either due to ignorance or due to illiteracy. All the patients avoided preventive measures and developed toxicity both due to inhalation and absorption through skin. Endosulfan (a chlordiene derivative) poisoning is gaini ng up momentum in this part of world and has become an important matte r for public health in India.