This study analyzes the profiles of
pesticide intoxication, here distinguished by agricultural pesticides, household pesticides, veterinary products, and
rodenticides, according to data obtained from the National
Poisoning Information System (SINITOX) database, from 1999 to 2003. The findings indicate different profiles for
poisonings caused by these four products. While
poisoning by agricultural pesticides and veterinary products is more frequent among adults and males,
poisoning by household pesticides and
rodenticides is more frequent among children and females. The lethality for each kind also varies greatly, from 0.44% for household pesticides to 2.80% for agricultural pesticides. The integrated analyses of
poisonings by pesticides, without distinguishing the type of
pesticide may be an error, distorting the findings, even hiding risk factors. It is therefore necessary to disseminate information on each kind of
poisoning.