Abstract

AIM: In this study, it is aimed to explain the causes of the pesticid intoxication occured in the Vali Saim ÇOTUR Regional Boarding Primary Education School in Karacasu district of the province of Kahramanmaraş in May, 2008 and what have been done after the intoxication.
METHODS: In the study is an investigation of outbreak. In the study used to face-to-face interviews with patients, parents of patients, menagers and teachers of school and the records of the health foundations and school and the laboratory works.
RESULTS: Cases of acute pesticide intoxication first began appearing on 5 May 2008. During the course of the pesticide intoxication 51 cases were determined, though there were no fatalities. All cases are students of the Vali Saim ÇOTUR RBPES. It has 1695 students. All cases, 35 (68.6%) were females and 16 (31.4%) males, and median age 11 (min=8, max=14). Intoxication was highest level as 84.3% in cases at the age of 11. The cause of the intoxication was agriculture medicine (pesticide) contamination of the school’s drinking water.
CONCLUSION: In order to prevent pesticide poisoning, it is necessary to be very careful with pesticide application especially in rural areas. Substances that are least toxic to human and environment, and are licenced and most effective to pests must be used, sensitive people, especially children, must be kept away. More attempts should be made for raising the awereness of zone managers and farmers in order to prevent intoxications. Even if there is important improvement in intoxication management, the most effective method is prevention of poisoning.

Key words: Pesticide, intoxication, outbreak, water, contamination

Article Language: Turkish English