Tackling suicide rates in the developing worldDecember 19, 2003Differing patterns in suicides rates worldwide are highlighted in the December issue of the International Journal of Epidemiology (IJE), edited in the Department of Social Medicine at the University of Bristol, and published today. The World Health Organisation estimates that there are around 849,000 suicides worldwide each year. David Gunnell, Professor of Epidemiology at Bristol University and his co-author Dr Michael Eddleston of the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka point out that there are very different patterns of fatal and non-fatal self-harm in industrialised compared to developing countries. In countries such as the UK, the drugs that people most commonly overdose with are prescription medications and analgesics, and fatality is relatively low. However, in developing countries it is far more common to use agricultural pesticides for deliberate self-poisoning - as many as one out of every ten people who ingest these pesticides die as a result. It is estimated that there may be up to 300,000 pesticide suicides each year in the China and South East Asia region alone. In developing countries where a large proportion of the population are subsistence farmers, many people have access to pesticides and these are often stored in the home. Studies have shown that suicidal impulses are often short lived and that by making the means of suicide less available, time can be 'bought' until the suicidal impulse passes. For these reasons, the detoxification of the domestic gas supply in Britain in the 1960s was thought to have prevented several thousand suicides. Recent restrictions on the availability of paracetamol follow the same logic. Professor Gunnell and Dr Eddleston suggest a range of ways that pesticide suicides in developing countries can be reduced, including better hospital management, restricting availability, licensing, storage guidelines and improving public education. However, there has been limited action on the part of international organizations. Pesticides are a multi-billion dollar business. Professor Gunnell said: "There has been limited global leadership concerning this issue. International organizations, governments and industry all contribute to allowing the impact of pesticide ingestion on suicide mortality to persist." Bristol, University of |
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| Related Pesticide Current Events and Pesticide News Articles An inexpensive 'dipstick' test for pesticides in foods Scientists in Canada are reporting the development of a fast, inexpensive "dipstick" test to identify small amounts of pesticides that may exist in foods and beverages. Pesticides exposure linked to suicidal thoughts A new study in China has found that people with higher levels of pesticide exposure are more likely to have suicidal thoughts. Getting plants to rid themselves of pesticide residues Scientists in China have discovered that a natural plant hormone, applied to crops, can help plants eliminate residues of certain pesticides. The study is in the current issue of ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, a bi-weekly publication. Study shows more corn for biofuels would hurt water More of the fertilizers and pesticides used to grow corn would find their way into nearby water sources if ethanol demands lead to planting more acres in corn, according to a Purdue University study. New computing tool could lead to better crops and pesticides say researchers A new computing tool that could help scientists predict how plants will react to different environmental conditions in order to create better crops, such as tastier and longer lasting tomatoes, is being developed by researchers. Getting plants to rid themselves of pesticide residues Scientists in China are reporting the "intriguing" discovery that a natural plant hormone, applied to crops, can help plants eliminate residues of certain pesticides. Organic weed control for dandelions Spring and summer often find homeowners out in their yards, busily attempting to control the onslaught of dandelions in a quest for green, weed-free lawns. Environmental effects of cold-climate strawberry farming Strawberries are America's fifth-favorite fruit, according to consumption rates. California and Florida grow more than 95% of the nation's strawberries; an additional 12,000 acres are planted in other states. Pesticides -- easier detection of pollution and impact in rivers The long-term effects of pesticides on living organisms in rivers and on water quality can now be assessed more easily. Pitt research suggests EPA pesticide exposure test too short, overlooks long term effects The four-day testing period the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commonly uses to determine safe levels of pesticide exposure for humans and animals could fail to account for the toxins' long-term effects, University of Pittsburgh researchers report in the September edition of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. More Pesticide Current Events and Pesticide News Articles |
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