t There is a paucity of data on pesticide-related
Inorbidity and Inortality in South Africa. A review
of notifications to the western Cape office of the
Depart=ent of ational Health and Population
DevelopInent frOIn 1987 to 1991 was undertaken to
describe the epideIniological profile of pesticide
poisoning in the region. Two hundred and twentyfive
cases of pesticide poisoning were identified, of
which the Inajority were froIn rural areas.
Far=ers, farIn workers and their faInilies were
Inost frequently involved in poisoning events,
which included accidents arising outside of workplace
production (44%), self-inflicted injury (35%)
and direct occupational contaInination (11%).
FarIn pesticide stores were the Inost frequent
source of pesticide and a seasonal variation in the
trend of poisoning events could be discerned; this
corresponded to agricultural spraying practices in
the region. The Inortality rate was significantly
higher aInong those with self-inflicted injury, particularly
far= workers. A concurrent review of
hospital adInissions for 1991 found that 78% of
cases had not been notified. In view ofthe key role
of surveillance in reducing pesticide-related Inorbidity
and Inortality, a call is Inade to iInprove
notification of pesticide poisoning so as to facilitate
control of an iInportant potential public
health probleIn.