Pesticide mortality. A Jordanian experience.

During the 13-year period of 1973-1985, at least 329 deaths in Jordan resulted from poisoning by pesticides. Organophosphates were the major compounds incriminated in 93.6% of the cases. The annual mortality rate compared with that of other countries is relatively high, and was 5.97%, 17.35%, and 2.6% per 1 million people in 1973, 1979, and 1985, respectively. The annual mortality rates due to suicidal and accidental poisoning are 61% and 35.3%, respectively: 74% of the accidentally poisoned group are children less than 10 years, while 60.7% of the suicides are 15-24 years of age. To minimize such high mortality rates from pesticide poisoning, Jordan needs to adopt more protective measures by rigorous regulation.