Table 1.
Distribution and description of call-volume data anomalies reported to poison centers identified by national surveillance, 2008–2012.
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Call-volume anomalies | 2,292 | 2,568 | 2,010 | 2,720 | 1,901 | 11,491 |
| Number of incidents of public health significance | 105 (4.6%) | 67 (2.6%) | 78 (3.9%) | 66 (2.4%) | 68 (3.6%) | 384 (3.3%) |
| Gas/vapor/fumes/smoke* | 61 (58.1%) | 33 (49.2%) | 48 (61.5%) | 42 (63.6%) | 45 (66.2%) | 229 (59.6%) |
| Food poisoning/Water Contamination | 17 (16.2%) | 15 (22.4%) | 14 (17.9%) | 13 (19.7%) | 11 (16.2%) | 70 (18.2%) |
| Nonpharmaceutical chemicals | 21 (20.0%) | 14 (20.9%) | 10 (12.8%) | 7 (10.6%) | 10 (14.7%) | 62 (16.1%) |
| Unknown/Other | 10 (9.5%) | 1 (1.5%) | 3 (3.8%) | 2 (3.0%) | 3 | 16 (4.2%) |
| Environmental | 4 (3.8%) | 2 (3%) | 4 (5.1%) | – | 2 (2.9%) | 12 (3.1%) |
| Product contamination/tampering | 3 (2.9%) | 1 (1.5%) | 2 (2.6%) | 1 (1.5%) | – | 7 (1.8%) |
| Drug/Product misuse | 5 (4.8%) | 1 (1.5%) | – | 1 (1.5%) | – | 7 (1.8%) |
| Most frequently reported specific agent | Carbon monoxide (13; 12.4%) | Carbon monoxide (16; 23.9%) | Carbon monoxide (21; 26.9%) | Carbon monoxide (19; 28.8%) | Carbon monoxide (16, 23.5%) | Carbon monoxide (92; 24.0%) |
| Most frequently reported location** | Occupational (43; 41.0%) | Public place (20; 29.9%) | Public place (27; 34.6%) | School (17; 29.3%); Residential (17; 29.3%) | School (18, 26.5%); Public Place (18, 26.5%) | Public Place (99; 25.8%) |
*
More than one substance type can be reported under a single call-volume incident.
**
Not all incidents had a reported location.