In 1998, there were 2,241,082 human poison exposures reported by the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Approximately 52.7% of these exposures were in children under the age of six, however 91 % of the fatalities were in adults. The most common poison exposures reflected availability of substances in homes, where more than 91 % of poison exposures occurred. Evaluation of fatal exposures provides information about substances with the greatest inherent toxicity, as well as exposures that are difficult to recognize or treat when misused or taken in overdose.
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