Acute vergiftigingen bij mens en dier. Jaaroverzicht 2002. Nationaal Vergiftigingen Informatie Centrum

The National Poisons Information Centre (NVIC) of the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) provides information on acute intoxications by telephone, 24 hours a day, to physicians, veterinarians, pharmacists and government institutions such as regional health authorities, the fire brigade and the police. In 2002, the total number of information requests increased once again, to almost 32,000. These information requests mainly concerned intoxications with prescription drugs, cleaning products, food, drinks, recreational drugs, plants, fungi, animals, pesticides, industrial products and cosmetics. In addition to providing information on acute intoxications, one of the main tasks of the NVIC is to note new developments with regard to acute intoxications. A striking example of such a new development that the NVIC noted in 2002, was an alarming increase in the number of exposures to products used to waterproof clothing and shoes. After consultation with the Inspectorate for Health Protection, a warning was published in national newspapers and the products involved were withdrawn from the market. Other products that were monitored closely by the NVIC in 2002 include hydroxybutyrate (GHB), XTC, ephedra containing products, glow sticks (worn at partyscenes), methylphenidate and over-the-counter drugs. In 2002, the NVIC had an advisory role in a number of calamities, including an incident with a leaking tank wagon at a railway station in Amersfoort and a fire on a ship in Vlaardingen. This report provides an overview of the information requests on acute intoxications in humans and animals and on major incidents, which the NVIC received in the year 2002. A number of noticeable developments will be discribed in more detail