The authors reviewed 44 cases of arsenic poisoning between January 1986 & May 1990. Epidemiological differences between unintentional & intentional poisonings were compared. 7 of the 44 cases were suicide attempts. Other studies have found that when 1 readily available method of suicide is restricted, it is not often replaced by another method. Thus, the authors suggest that by restricting the purchase of arsenic based rodenticides, the number of suicide attempts may be reduced. (13 refs.)