Paraquat, a widely used herbicide in the world, has caused severe and fatal poisonings. Because of its high toxicity, the European Union withdrew paraquat from its market in July 2007. The purpose of this report is to describe cases of paraquat poisoning recorded at the Poison Control Center in Marseille over the 9-year period starting and ending 4.5 years before and after the paraquat ban. Data analysis showed that the most severe exposures were linked to ingestion. The fatality rate of deliberate consumption was near 50 % (34 suicide attempts and 15 deaths). Our data showed a marginal decline in total number of poisonings observed after the paraquat ban (38 vs 33 after the ban) mostly due to a decrease in the number of unintentional exposure (21 vs 16 after the ban). However, there was no apparent change in the number suicidal attempts using paraquat. Regarding geographical distribution, data showed that most poisonings in mainland France were unintentional, while poisonings in overseas French territories were mostly voluntary. Despite the European ban and the preventive measures, paraquat continues to contribute to severe and life-threatening poisonings in Southeastern and overseas France.

It seems that staff relocation can provoke a sense of uncertainty and isolation. Perhaps better communication might have reduced this and deter possible negative health outcomes.

Résumé -Mots clés : Paraquat, insuffisance rénale, cytolyse, fibrose pulmonaire, Guyane Abstract -Objective: Paraquat is a pesticide widely used around the world as herbicide. The toxicity of this molecule on human beings is high as it induces after ingestion liver and renal failure with possible delayed pulmonary fibrosis. After numerous reports about this major toxicity the European authorities decided to withdraw this herbicide of the market in July 2007. The authors report a collective case of poisoning with paraquat in French Guiana in 2011. Method: A teenager boy and his mother ingested paraquat deliberately. Hepatic and renal failures were observed for the young male who was treated with the immunosuppressive protocol treatment in order to prevent the pulmonary complications. His mother rapidly developed multi-organic failure. Results: The young boy's hepatic and renal failure evolved quickly favorably. No respiratory disturbances were reported with him allowing a discharge after 16 days of hospitalization. His mother who ingested higher quantities of paraquat died in 2 days. Conclusion: This collective case proves that 4 years after the prohibition of paraquat in French Guiana it is still possible to observe life-threatening poisonings induced by such a dangerous herbicide.

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