The Global Distribution of Fatal Pesticide Self-Poisoning: Systematic Review

A literature review was done to estimate the number of pesticide suicides in each of the World Health Organization’s six regions & the global burden of fatal self-poisoning with pesticides. It is conservatively estimated that there are 258,234 deaths from pesticide self-poisoning worldwide each year, accounting for 30% of suicides globally. Applying evidence-based corrections to India’s official data, the estimate increases to 371,594 deaths. The pattern of pesticide use & the toxicity of the products, not the quantity used, influences the likelihood they will be used in acts of fatal self-harm. (108 refs.)