경북지방(慶北地方)의 농약중독(農藥中毒)에 대한 역학적(疫學的) 조사(調査)

Epidemiology of Pesticide Poisoning in Kyungpook

농약사용량(農藥便用量)의 증가(增加)에 따라 농약중독자(農藥中毒者)가 전 세계적으로 증가(增加)하는 추세인데 우리나라에서는 아직까지 농약중독자(農藥中毒者)에 대한 역학조사(疫學調査) 보고(報告)가 없는 실정이다. 1981년(年)부터 1982년(年)까지 2년간(年間) 경상북도(慶尙北道) 전지역(全地域)을 대상으로 의원(醫院), 병원(病院) 및 보건소(保健所)의 의무기록(醫務記錄)을 조사(調査)하여 농약중독자(農藥中毒者)를 파악하여 그 실태를 분석(分析)하였다. 1981년(年)에 765명, 1982년에 853명의 중독자(中毒者)가 발생(發生)하였다. 연령별(年令別)로는 20대(代)가 제일 많았고 성별(性別)로는 남자가 70% 여자가 30%였다. 중독경위별로는 직업적인 중독이 27.8%, 우연에 의한 사고(事故)가 5.6%였고 자살목적(自殺目的)이 66.6% 였다. 월별(月別)로는 6, 7, 8, 9월(月)에 발생(發生)이 많고 7월(月)이 제일 많고, 월평균(月平均) 67명이 발생(發生)하였다. 의료기관이용(醫療機關利用)은 개인의원이 49%, 병원이 43%였다. 치명율(致命率)은 직업적인 중독이 0.9%, 사고(事故)에 의한 중독(中毒)이 5.6% 자살목적(自殺目的)의 중독(中毒)에서 20.3%로 평균(平均) 14.1%였다. 인구 100,000 당 농약중독(農藥中毒) 발생(發生)은 년간(年間) 25.4였다.

In spite of the world-wide increase of incidence of pesticide poisoning due to greater use of pesticides, the epidemiological study of pesticide poisoning in Korea has been grossly neglected. The author gained access to the medical records for two year period (1981 through 1982) from local clinics, hospitals and health centers of Kyungpook area to investigate the status of the pesticide poisoning. During these two years, there were 1,618 cases of documented pesticide poisoning, of which in 1981 were 765 and in 1982 were 853. Those in the twenties decade of age was the most frequent and the male(70%) was more liable than the female (30%). In view of manner of poisoning, occupational poisoning was 27.8%, accidental 5.6%, and suicidal 66.6%. There are three distinct groups which make up the large majority of both fatal and nonfatal cases; young children who accidentally ingest pesticides, young to middle age adult who are occupationally poisoned, and middle age to older adults who suicidally ingest pesticides. The seasonal distribution of these poisonings disclosed the peak month to be July, with August next, followed by June and September. Only 11% of cases occurred during the three-month winter season of December to February. Thus pesticide caused poison- ing was primarily a summer and early fall occurrence. During these two years, average of 67 cases of poisoning was observed monthly. Of the pesticide poisoning documented, 49% were treated with poisoning patients from local clinic and 43% from hospital. The case fatality rate of occupational poisoning was 0.9%, accidental 5.6% and suicidal 20.3%. The mean overall case fatality rate was 14.1%. Annual incidence of pesticide poisoning was 25.4 per 100,000 population in the study area. There is a nationwide need for more reliable date on pesticide poisoning. This need can only grow more acute with the passage of time because of the increasing importance of pesticides as a cause of morbidity and mortality.