GITNUXREPORT 2025

Poisoning Statistics

Poisoning deaths rose sharply, mainly involving opioids and household exposures nationwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The mean age for poisoning deaths in the US is approximately 45 years

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Around 85% of poisoning exposures occur at home

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Men are more likely than women to die from poisoning, with a ratio of approximately 2:1

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In the US, mortality rate from poisoning is highest among individuals aged 40-60 years

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Lead poisoning remains a significant concern, with elevated blood lead levels found in approximately 4% of children aged 1-5 in the US

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The average hospital stay for poisoning cases is around 2-3 days, depending on severity

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The global market for antidotes and treatments for poisoning is valued at over $1 billion annually, reflecting the burden of poisonings worldwide

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The global economic cost of poisoning incidents is estimated at over $125 billion annually in healthcare expenses, lost productivity, and legal costs

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The economic burden of poisonings in the US alone exceeds $35 billion annually, including direct medical costs and lost productivity

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In 2020, there were approximately 54,000 deaths due to poisoning in the United States

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Unintentional poisoning deaths in the US increased by over 16% from 2019 to 2020

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In 2021, there were over 91,000 drug overdose deaths in the US, a significant increase from previous years

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Childhood poisoning exposures decreased by 4.3% in 2020 compared to 2019

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In Europe, pesticide poisoning accounts for over 20% of all occupational poisoning deaths

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The incidence of poisoning cases requiring hospitalization in the US is approximately 50 per 100,000 population annually

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The rate of poisoning deaths among adolescents aged 15-19 has increased by 50% since 2010

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The use of illicit substances in poisoning deaths has decreased slightly over the past five years, but opioids remain dominant

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Accidental poisoning accounts for 80% of all poisoning deaths, with intentional poisoning making up the remaining 20%

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The harm from pesticide poisoning is especially significant in low-income countries, which account for over 90% of global pesticide poisoning deaths

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The number of calls to poison control centers in the US increased by 18% during the COVID-19 pandemic, attributed to increased exposure risks

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An estimated 2 million people in the US suffer from opioid use disorder, which significantly raises the risk of poisoning

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The majority of poisoning deaths occur in urban areas, accounting for about 65% of total cases

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Poisoning from carbon monoxide is a common cause of death in cases of house fires, responsible for about 10% of fire-related fatalities

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Envenomation from snake bites causes over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide, many of which are due to improper or delayed treatment

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Arsenic poisoning from contaminated water affects over 200 million people globally, primarily in South Asia

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The incidence of drug poisoning in seniors (>65 years) has increased by approximately 40% over the last decade, indicating rising risks among the elderly

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Substance misuse and overdose are leading causes of death among young adults aged 20-34 in the US, responsible for nearly 20% of deaths in this age group

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The use of first aid and poison prevention education has been shown to decrease poisoning incidents in children by approximately 30%

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Pesticide poisoning in agricultural workers accounts for approximately 50% of all occupational poisoning deaths worldwide

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In the last decade, the number of calls to poison control centers related to cosmetic and personal care products has doubled, indicating increased exposure risks

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Overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines have increased by approximately 50% over the past five years, contributing significantly to poisoning mortality

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The prevalence of poisoning by household cleaning products has increased during the pandemic, with a 22% rise in exposure calls in 2020

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Poisoning is the leading cause of injury-related death in several countries, including in some low-income nations, due to limited access to antidotes and healthcare

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In 2019, unintentional poisoning deaths accounted for about 1.6% of all deaths in the US, showing a rising trend over the years

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Suicide by poisoning has become increasingly common, with a 25% rise in deaths involving poisoning methods in the past decade

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The proportion of hospital admissions due to poisoning involving alcohol has increased, representing roughly 12% of poisoning cases

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In rural areas, pesticide poisoning deaths are more prevalent due to easy access and fewer safety measures, accounting for over 30% of occupational poisoning fatalities

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The global trend shows a 5% annual increase in pesticide poisoning cases as agricultural activity intensifies

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Opioids accounted for nearly 70% of all drug overdose deaths in the US in 2020

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The most common chemical involved in poisoning deaths is opioid analgesics

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Paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose accounts for about 25% of all drug-induced liver failure cases worldwide

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Among poisoning fatalities, approximately 65% involve prescription medications

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Approximately 90% of poisonings involving children are due to ingestion, often of household chemicals or medications

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In 2022, synthetic opioids like fentanyl were involved in nearly 60% of all opioid overdose deaths

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The most common route of poisoning in adults involves oral ingestion, accounting for about 70% of cases

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The use of anticonvulsants and sedatives in poisoning cases has increased, accounting for 15% of drug-related toxicities

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Key Highlights

In 2020, there were approximately 54,000 deaths due to poisoning in the United States
Unintentional poisoning deaths in the US increased by over 16% from 2019 to 2020
Opioids accounted for nearly 70% of all drug overdose deaths in the US in 2020
In 2021, there were over 91,000 drug overdose deaths in the US, a significant increase from previous years
Childhood poisoning exposures decreased by 4.3% in 2020 compared to 2019
The most common chemical involved in poisoning deaths is opioid analgesics
The mean age for poisoning deaths in the US is approximately 45 years
Around 85% of poisoning exposures occur at home
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose accounts for about 25% of all drug-induced liver failure cases worldwide
In Europe, pesticide poisoning accounts for over 20% of all occupational poisoning deaths
The incidence of poisoning cases requiring hospitalization in the US is approximately 50 per 100,000 population annually
The rate of poisoning deaths among adolescents aged 15-19 has increased by 50% since 2010
Men are more likely than women to die from poisoning, with a ratio of approximately 2:1

Poisoning has emerged as a silent epidemic, claiming thousands of lives each year in the United States alone, with opioids dominating the death toll and alarming increases across all age groups and settings.

Demographics and Population Impact

The mean age for poisoning deaths in the US is approximately 45 years
Around 85% of poisoning exposures occur at home
Men are more likely than women to die from poisoning, with a ratio of approximately 2:1
In the US, mortality rate from poisoning is highest among individuals aged 40-60 years
Lead poisoning remains a significant concern, with elevated blood lead levels found in approximately 4% of children aged 1-5 in the US

Demographics and Population Impact Interpretation

With middle-aged adults facing the highest poisoning mortality and the home serving as the primary battleground, coupled with persistent lead risks for our youngest, it’s clear that poisoning remains a grave, multifaceted threat lurking where we least expect it.

Healthcare Response, Treatment, and Costs

The average hospital stay for poisoning cases is around 2-3 days, depending on severity
The global market for antidotes and treatments for poisoning is valued at over $1 billion annually, reflecting the burden of poisonings worldwide
The global economic cost of poisoning incidents is estimated at over $125 billion annually in healthcare expenses, lost productivity, and legal costs
The economic burden of poisonings in the US alone exceeds $35 billion annually, including direct medical costs and lost productivity

Healthcare Response, Treatment, and Costs Interpretation

With poisonings costing the world over $125 billion annually—and the average patient often spending just a couple of days in hospital—the message is clear: prevention and swift response are priceless in saving lives and billions.

Public Health and Mortality Trends

In 2020, there were approximately 54,000 deaths due to poisoning in the United States
Unintentional poisoning deaths in the US increased by over 16% from 2019 to 2020
In 2021, there were over 91,000 drug overdose deaths in the US, a significant increase from previous years
Childhood poisoning exposures decreased by 4.3% in 2020 compared to 2019
In Europe, pesticide poisoning accounts for over 20% of all occupational poisoning deaths
The incidence of poisoning cases requiring hospitalization in the US is approximately 50 per 100,000 population annually
The rate of poisoning deaths among adolescents aged 15-19 has increased by 50% since 2010
The use of illicit substances in poisoning deaths has decreased slightly over the past five years, but opioids remain dominant
Accidental poisoning accounts for 80% of all poisoning deaths, with intentional poisoning making up the remaining 20%
The harm from pesticide poisoning is especially significant in low-income countries, which account for over 90% of global pesticide poisoning deaths
The number of calls to poison control centers in the US increased by 18% during the COVID-19 pandemic, attributed to increased exposure risks
An estimated 2 million people in the US suffer from opioid use disorder, which significantly raises the risk of poisoning
The majority of poisoning deaths occur in urban areas, accounting for about 65% of total cases
Poisoning from carbon monoxide is a common cause of death in cases of house fires, responsible for about 10% of fire-related fatalities
Envenomation from snake bites causes over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide, many of which are due to improper or delayed treatment
Arsenic poisoning from contaminated water affects over 200 million people globally, primarily in South Asia
The incidence of drug poisoning in seniors (>65 years) has increased by approximately 40% over the last decade, indicating rising risks among the elderly
Substance misuse and overdose are leading causes of death among young adults aged 20-34 in the US, responsible for nearly 20% of deaths in this age group
The use of first aid and poison prevention education has been shown to decrease poisoning incidents in children by approximately 30%
Pesticide poisoning in agricultural workers accounts for approximately 50% of all occupational poisoning deaths worldwide
In the last decade, the number of calls to poison control centers related to cosmetic and personal care products has doubled, indicating increased exposure risks
Overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines have increased by approximately 50% over the past five years, contributing significantly to poisoning mortality
The prevalence of poisoning by household cleaning products has increased during the pandemic, with a 22% rise in exposure calls in 2020
Poisoning is the leading cause of injury-related death in several countries, including in some low-income nations, due to limited access to antidotes and healthcare
In 2019, unintentional poisoning deaths accounted for about 1.6% of all deaths in the US, showing a rising trend over the years
Suicide by poisoning has become increasingly common, with a 25% rise in deaths involving poisoning methods in the past decade
The proportion of hospital admissions due to poisoning involving alcohol has increased, representing roughly 12% of poisoning cases
In rural areas, pesticide poisoning deaths are more prevalent due to easy access and fewer safety measures, accounting for over 30% of occupational poisoning fatalities
The global trend shows a 5% annual increase in pesticide poisoning cases as agricultural activity intensifies

Public Health and Mortality Trends Interpretation

Poisoning remains a silent epidemic worldwide—claiming thousands of lives annually, with the US experiencing a sharp rise in overdose deaths and urban and vulnerable populations bearing the heaviest burdens, highlighting the urgent need for targeted prevention and intervention strategies amidst a complex landscape of substance misuse, occupational hazards, and environmental exposures.

Substances Involved and Chemical Agents

Opioids accounted for nearly 70% of all drug overdose deaths in the US in 2020
The most common chemical involved in poisoning deaths is opioid analgesics
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose accounts for about 25% of all drug-induced liver failure cases worldwide
Among poisoning fatalities, approximately 65% involve prescription medications
Approximately 90% of poisonings involving children are due to ingestion, often of household chemicals or medications
In 2022, synthetic opioids like fentanyl were involved in nearly 60% of all opioid overdose deaths
The most common route of poisoning in adults involves oral ingestion, accounting for about 70% of cases
The use of anticonvulsants and sedatives in poisoning cases has increased, accounting for 15% of drug-related toxicities

Substances Involved and Chemical Agents Interpretation

Despite decades of warnings, the opioid epidemic continues to devastate, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl driving nearly 60% of overdose deaths in 2022, as prescription meds and household chemicals—especially among children—still dominate poisoning statistics, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing medication benefits with safety and vigilance.