Hazardous and toxic substances poisoning in wartime and peacetime. Classification of hazardous chemicals. Mechanism of toxic action. Clinical manifestations of poisoning with chemical agents

Abstract

Exposure to toxic chemicals represents an important public health problem worldwide. According to a WHO estimate (WHO, 2 000), unintentional poisonings led to 300 000 deaths in the year 2 000. Over 70 000 deaths occurred in children up to 14 years old. Rural and industrial workers use sometimes with no protection large volumes of chemicals, some of which are extremely hazardous. Pregnant women may expose themselves and the developing fetus to the effects of chemicals in their environments at crucial development periods of their life. Elderly people are, due to physiological change, more susceptible to the toxic effects of some chemicals. Lack of information and education often results in people ignoring or neglecting simple measures that could help to prevent the toxic effects of chemicals. As a result, a large number of poisoning cases result from human carelessness, negligence and ignorance, all of which could be avoidable.