Acute vergiftigingen bij mens en dier, Jaaroverzicht 2010 - Rivm

RIVM Rapport 660100005
Abstract
Acute intoxications among humans and animals
Annual Report 2010
National Poisons Information Centre
The National Poisons Information Centre (NVIC) has been part of the National
Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) since the centre’s
foundation in 1959. However, from July 1st 2011 onwards, the NVIC will be part
of the University Medical Centre Utrecht (UMC Utrecht). After the transition to
the UMC Utrecht, the NVIC’s position as a national and independent expert
centre will be guaranteed. Also the NVIC’s role in disaster management of
calamities with chemical and nuclear substances will be preserved.
In 2010, the NVIC was consulted 42.347 times by telephone and through the
website Vergiftigingen.info about a total of 55.508 exposures of humans and
animals to toxic substances. The number of exposures is higher than the
number of enquiries, because one enquiry may involve several people and
several toxic substances. Some enquiries were related to calamities. In 2010,
the NVIC assisted in the disaster management of more than 60 minor and major
calamities in which toxic substances were released.
The greater availability of paracetamol resulting from its general sale has not
resulted in an extra rise in the number of reported intoxications due to
paracetamol. The number of enquiries on methylphenidate, a drug used for the
treatment of ADHD, increased in 2010 with 34%. The number of intoxications
due to the cough medicine dextromethorphan nearly doubled in 2010. This
increase was caused especially by a rise in the number of enquiries about
teenagers. Dextromethorphan can be abused as an hallucinogenic drug.
The number of reported intoxications due to nutmeg tripled in 2010. There is no
clear explanation for this sudden rise. Following a decrease in the preceding two
years, the number of enquiries on magic mushrooms increased as well in 2010.
In 2010, the NVIC was consulted about 3822 exposures of animals to toxic
substances. Dogs and cats were the main victims of acute intoxications.
Key words:
poisonings, calamities, medicines, household products, cosmetics, pesticides,
industrial products, plants, fungi, drugs
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