7. Poisoning by other substances, Australia 1994

(ICD9 E-codes 860-869)

Table 7.1 Key indicators of deaths due to poisoning by other substances

Indicator	Males	Females	Persons
Cases	25	11	36
Percent of all injury deaths	1%	1%	1%
Crude rate/100,000 pop	0.3	0.1	0.2
Age-adjusted rate/100,000 pop	0.3	0.1	0.2
Change in adj. rate since1993	0%	1%	0%
Average years lost before age 75 yrs	39	23	34

Age and sex distribution

This section deals with poisoning by substances other than drugs, medicaments, etc. This category includes poisoning by alcoholic beverages, petroleum substances, agricultural chemicals, motor vehicle exhaust gas and foodstuffs and poisonous plants.
There are relatively few deaths attributable to accidental poisoning by other substances.
Rates were highest for males 10-39 years and 65 plus years. Female rates were highest at 65 plus years and were similar to male rates in this age group.
Petroleum products (n=4) and other and unspecified substances (n=25) accounted for 81% of all poisoning by other sustance deaths.

Small case numbers in this category result in large year-to-year fluctuations which are not meaningful.

Small case numbers also limit meaningful comparison between states and territories. Case numbers in the NT have declined from a high of 9 cases in 1991 to 0 recorded cases in 1994.
There were 15 cases of accidental poisoning recorded in Victoria in 1993 compared to one death recorded in 1992. This number fell to 6 cases in 1994 which was around the usual number recorded in Victoria prior to 1993.