To Establish the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory and Poison Information Centre in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology at a Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Poisoning is a significant global public health problem. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), in 2004, an estimated 0.35million people died worldwide from unintentional poisoning. Nearly a million people die annually as a result of suicide, and chemicals (poisons) account for a good number of deaths due to poisoning. It is estimated that deliberate ingestion of agrochemicals causes 370,000 deaths each year. In India, poisoning is more common and is also one of the significant causes of death, intentional or otherwise. In developing countries, pesticides are frequently used for suicidal poisoning. Increased mortality and morbidity could be due to a lack of access to information for the nearest relatives, a lack of a toxicological laboratory for clinical purposes, first-aid measures, attending physicians treating the patients, and awareness about prevention related to exposure and the management of different poisoning cases. A Toxicology Lab & Poison Information Centre (PIC) can play a vital role in the prevention and management of poisoning cases by providing preliminary and basic information to the general public and healthcare professionals.