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7458475 
Book/Book Chapter 
Sri Lanka: Acute Poisoning by Pesticides in the Country 
Gawarammana, I; Eddleston, M 
2011 
Elsevier Inc. 
Encyclopedia of Environmental Health 
241-248 
English 
Acute pesticide poisoning is a major clinical problem in Sri Lanka with several thousand deaths each year. The incidence of pesticide self-poisoning is 150-200 per 100 000, whereas that of fatal self-poisoning with pesticides is 20-25 per 100 000. The majority of pesticides ingested are from classes that have been widely used since the 1960s, in particular organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides. Herbicides such as paraquat, propanil, and MCPA are other substantial clinical problems. Current research in Sri Lanka aims to identify effective therapies for poisoned patients and also methods for reducing exposure to highly toxic pesticides, whether through safer storage or through regulatory interventions. The number of deaths from pesticide poisoning has fallen by more than 50% over the past 10 years due to regulatory interventions, without affecting agricultural output. However, there is still much scope for further reductions both in Sri Lanka and across rural Asia. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 
Asia; Pesticides; Poisoning; Self-harm; Suicide 
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