Michael Eddleston
Biographic Data
| ID | 1296761 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Michael Eddleston |
| GIVEN NAMES | Michael |
| FAMILY NAME | Eddleston |
| SIGNATURE | EDDLESTON M |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Edinburgh |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-6857-3441 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 25 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 4 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 25 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2007 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Longer-term impact of pesticide bans on suicide in South Korea
INTRODUCTION: Pesticide self-poisoning accounts for 14%-20% of global suicides. South Korea banned paraquat and eight insecticides commonly involved in suicide in 2011-2012. We investigated the longer-term (2013-2019) impact of the pesticide bans on reducing suicides in South Korea. METHODS: Suicide data by sex, age, area and method among people aged 15 years or above were extracted from registered death data (1997-2019). Data for suicide by self…
Seeing the similarities
Fatal self-harm, more commonly referred to as suicide, is a serious public health problem affecting individuals and communities worldwide. Some products and services, such as paracetamol, bridges, and railways, are recognised as requiring regulatory or design interventions to prevent suicide. However, others with well-established associations with suicide, including alcohol, gambling products, pesticides, opioids and firearms, are often framed as…
Trends and risk factors for suicide mortality in India from 2001–2019
One in four of all global suicide deaths occurs in India, yet the epidemiology of suicide mortality in India remains largely undocumented. We analyzed over 20,000 suicides among 829,000 deaths collected from 2001-2019 within a nationally representative random sample of about 1% of Indian homes using lay field reporting with dual central medical adjudication of causes. We applied suicide death proportions to national demographic totals to estimate…
Preventing suicide by restricting access to Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs)
Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide. A previous systematic review showed that regulations limiting access to highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) were successful in preventing suicides. As the WHO strongly supports regulation of pesticides, we aimed to update and strengthen the evidence on the effectiveness of HHP bans. We conducted a systematic review by searching MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO databases in March 2024 for manuscripts publ…
A retrospective five-year autopsy based study of suicide in Punjab province of Pakistan
This retrospective review of suicide autopsy cases in five districts of the Pakistan Punjab showed that poisoning was the most common means of suicide, particularly with paraphenylenediamine hair dye. There is need for systematic collection of such data from all districts across Pakistan, which can lead to the development of a national suicide registry. This will allow official reporting of suicide deaths on a national level to help guide develop…
Trends of poisoning types in Sri Lanka
The implementation of national bans of HHPs led to a reduction in number of admissions as well as CF due to pesticide poisoning in hospitals in Sri Lanka, with no evidence of substitution to other types of poisonings. The reversal of the upward trend in hospital admissions due to pesticide and medicinal poisonings suggests that the bans contributed to a reduction in admissions from these types of poisoning
“Ad hoc policy decisions” in the news
Modern agriculture relies on pesticides to maximise outputs. While many highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) are banned in places like the European Union due to concerns about harm to the environment and human health, their use continues in many low- and middle-income counties (LMICs). Pesticide suicide is a public health problem unique to countries where HHPs are used, and Sri Lanka has successfully implemented several HHP bans as part of a suicid…
Situational analysis of pesticide poisoning and perceptions of autoinjector devices in rural communities in Sri Lanka – a study protocol
Intentional and unintentional pesticide poisoning is an important public health problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Individuals who have been exposed to toxic pesticides, particularly organophosphorus insecticides, need early treatment. Atropine autoinjector devices offer a potential solution, allowing storage of effective treatment near agricultural workers' fields and homes that could be reached within minutes by the worker…
Stop blaming the farmer
The negative effects of pesticide use in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) are often blamed on the "misuse" of pesticides.The industry and government narrative is that the use of highly hazardous pesticides is safe when instructions are followed, and that harm occurs due to "irrational" and "improper" human behavior, linked to lack of knowledge by farmers.This assumption does not consider the real-life situations of pesticide users in LMICs…
Impact of pesticide regulations on mortality from suicide by pesticide in China
Declines in suicide by pesticide in China occurred contemporaneously with regulatory bans and restrictions implemented on several pesticides, particularly in urban areas, among female individuals, and the relatively low age profile. These findings indicate the potential influence of these bans on trends of suicide by pesticides
Banning highly hazardous pesticides saves the lives of young people, particularly females, in low- and middle-income countries
Pesticide self-poisoning is a public health problem mostly affecting low- and middle-income countries. In Sri Lanka, India and China suicide rates have reduced among young people, particularly females, following highly hazardous pesticides (HHP) bans. This success story requires attention to encourage more research on differential effects of HHP bans
Involvement of alcohol in injury cases in rural Sri Lanka
One in three injuries among people who drank alcohol in this sample were alcohol-related. In addition, problematic alcohol use was higher among those with alcohol-related injury. Further work is needed to explore whether this prevalence of alcohol-related injury is reflected in other rural settings in Sri Lanka
Research As Development
Book forum on 'Research as Development
Suicide by pesticide ingestion in Nepal and the impact of pesticide regulation
The full effect of the recent pesticide policy reform in Nepal remains to be seen. Our analysis shows a continuing increase in suicide numbers, despite bans of the most important pesticide in 2006. This may indicate smuggling across the border and the use of the brand name (Metacid) for pesticides in general making it difficult to identify the responsible pesticide. More information is required from forensic toxicology labs that identify the indi…
Prevention of pesticide suicides and the right to life
Suicide by pesticide ingestion is one of the three most common global means of suicide, causing over 150,000 deaths each year. The majority occur in rural agricultural communities, where pesticides are readily available to small-scale farmers and their families in poor under-resourced households. In addition to enormous individual, communal and societal suffering, as well as public health, economic, and developmental harm, human exposure to pesti…
Suicide risk and prevention during the Covid-19 pandemic
Emerging pesticides responsible for suicide in rural Sri Lanka following the 2008–2014 pesticide bans
Ingestion of pesticides remains the most important means of suicides in rural Sri Lanka. The pesticides that were once responsible for most pesticide suicides have now been replaced by carbosulfan and profenofos. Their regulation and replacement in agriculture with less hazardous pesticides will further reduce the incidence of both pesticide and overall suicides in rural Sri Lanka
Estimating the government health-care costs of treating pesticide poisoned and pesticide self-poisoned patients in Sri Lanka
Background: Pesticide self-poisoning as a method of suicide is a major global health problem.Objectives: To estimate the cost and per patient cost of treating pesticide self-poisoning at different hospital levels in a Sri Lankan district, and to examine the distribution of cost components. Another objective was to investigate changes in total cost of treatment of pesticide poisoning for all causes at different administrative levels in Sri Lanka i…
Vendor-based restrictions on pesticide sales to prevent pesticide self-poisoning - a pilot study
Our study suggests that vendor-based sales restriction in regions with high rates of self-poisoning has the potential to reduce access to pesticides for self-poisoning. A large-scale study of the effectiveness and sustainability of this approach is needed
Suicide in Sri Lanka 1975–2012
The epidemiology of suicide in Sri Lanka has changed noticeably in the last 30 years. The introduction of pesticide regulations in Sri Lanka coincides with a reduction in suicide rates, with evidence of limited method substitution
The impact of pesticide suicide on the geographic distribution of suicide in Taiwan
Easy access to pesticides appears to influence the geographic distribution of suicide in Taiwan, highlighting the potential benefits of targeted prevention strategies such as restricting access to highly toxic pesticides
A community-based cluster randomised trial of safe storage to reduce pesticide self-poisoning in rural Sri Lanka
This paper describes a large effectiveness study of a community intervention to reduce the burden of intentional poisoning in rural Sri Lanka. The study builds on a strong partnership between provincial health services, local and international researchers, and local communities. We discuss issues in relation to randomisation and contamination, engaging control villages, the intervention, and strategies to improve adherence
Major reductions in global suicide numbers can be made rapidly through pesticide regulation without the need for psychosocial interventions
Pattern of pesticide storage before pesticide self-poisoning in rural Sri Lanka
Three quarters of people who ingested pesticides in acts of self-harm used products that were available within the home or in close proximity; relatively few patients purchased the pesticide for the act. The study highlights the importance of reducing the accessibility of toxic pesticides in the domestic environment
Community uptake of safe storage boxes to reduce self-poisoning from pesticides in rural Sri Lanka
The farming community appreciated the storage boxes and made storage of pesticides safer, especially for children. It seems that additional, intensive promotion is needed to ensure that pesticide boxes are locked. The introduction of in-house safe storage boxes resulted in a shift of storage into the farmer's home and away from the field and this may increase the domestic risk of impulsive self-poisoning episodes. This increased risk needs attent…
Major reductions in global suicide numbers can be made rapidly through pesticide regulation without the need for psychosocial interventions
Prevention of pesticide suicides and the right to life
Suicide by pesticide ingestion is one of the three most common global means of suicide, causing over 150,000 deaths each year. The majority occur in rural agricultural communities, where pesticides are readily available to small-scale farmers and their families in poor under-resourced households. In addition to enormous individual, communal and societal suffering, as well as public health, economic, and developmental harm, human exposure to pesti…
Community uptake of safe storage boxes to reduce self-poisoning from pesticides in rural Sri Lanka
The farming community appreciated the storage boxes and made storage of pesticides safer, especially for children. It seems that additional, intensive promotion is needed to ensure that pesticide boxes are locked. The introduction of in-house safe storage boxes resulted in a shift of storage into the farmer's home and away from the field and this may increase the domestic risk of impulsive self-poisoning episodes. This increased risk needs attent…
Pattern of pesticide storage before pesticide self-poisoning in rural Sri Lanka
Three quarters of people who ingested pesticides in acts of self-harm used products that were available within the home or in close proximity; relatively few patients purchased the pesticide for the act. The study highlights the importance of reducing the accessibility of toxic pesticides in the domestic environment
A community-based cluster randomised trial of safe storage to reduce pesticide self-poisoning in rural Sri Lanka
This paper describes a large effectiveness study of a community intervention to reduce the burden of intentional poisoning in rural Sri Lanka. The study builds on a strong partnership between provincial health services, local and international researchers, and local communities. We discuss issues in relation to randomisation and contamination, engaging control villages, the intervention, and strategies to improve adherence
Major reductions in global suicide numbers can be made rapidly through pesticide regulation without the need for psychosocial interventions
The impact of pesticide suicide on the geographic distribution of suicide in Taiwan
Easy access to pesticides appears to influence the geographic distribution of suicide in Taiwan, highlighting the potential benefits of targeted prevention strategies such as restricting access to highly toxic pesticides
Suicide in Sri Lanka 1975–2012
The epidemiology of suicide in Sri Lanka has changed noticeably in the last 30 years. The introduction of pesticide regulations in Sri Lanka coincides with a reduction in suicide rates, with evidence of limited method substitution
Vendor-based restrictions on pesticide sales to prevent pesticide self-poisoning - a pilot study
Our study suggests that vendor-based sales restriction in regions with high rates of self-poisoning has the potential to reduce access to pesticides for self-poisoning. A large-scale study of the effectiveness and sustainability of this approach is needed
Estimating the government health-care costs of treating pesticide poisoned and pesticide self-poisoned patients in Sri Lanka
Background: Pesticide self-poisoning as a method of suicide is a major global health problem.Objectives: To estimate the cost and per patient cost of treating pesticide self-poisoning at different hospital levels in a Sri Lankan district, and to examine the distribution of cost components. Another objective was to investigate changes in total cost of treatment of pesticide poisoning for all causes at different administrative levels in Sri Lanka i…
Suicide risk and prevention during the Covid-19 pandemic
Emerging pesticides responsible for suicide in rural Sri Lanka following the 2008–2014 pesticide bans
Ingestion of pesticides remains the most important means of suicides in rural Sri Lanka. The pesticides that were once responsible for most pesticide suicides have now been replaced by carbosulfan and profenofos. Their regulation and replacement in agriculture with less hazardous pesticides will further reduce the incidence of both pesticide and overall suicides in rural Sri Lanka
Suicide by pesticide ingestion in Nepal and the impact of pesticide regulation
The full effect of the recent pesticide policy reform in Nepal remains to be seen. Our analysis shows a continuing increase in suicide numbers, despite bans of the most important pesticide in 2006. This may indicate smuggling across the border and the use of the brand name (Metacid) for pesticides in general making it difficult to identify the responsible pesticide. More information is required from forensic toxicology labs that identify the indi…
Prevention of pesticide suicides and the right to life
Suicide by pesticide ingestion is one of the three most common global means of suicide, causing over 150,000 deaths each year. The majority occur in rural agricultural communities, where pesticides are readily available to small-scale farmers and their families in poor under-resourced households. In addition to enormous individual, communal and societal suffering, as well as public health, economic, and developmental harm, human exposure to pesti…
Involvement of alcohol in injury cases in rural Sri Lanka
One in three injuries among people who drank alcohol in this sample were alcohol-related. In addition, problematic alcohol use was higher among those with alcohol-related injury. Further work is needed to explore whether this prevalence of alcohol-related injury is reflected in other rural settings in Sri Lanka
Research As Development
Book forum on 'Research as Development
Impact of pesticide regulations on mortality from suicide by pesticide in China
Declines in suicide by pesticide in China occurred contemporaneously with regulatory bans and restrictions implemented on several pesticides, particularly in urban areas, among female individuals, and the relatively low age profile. These findings indicate the potential influence of these bans on trends of suicide by pesticides
Banning highly hazardous pesticides saves the lives of young people, particularly females, in low- and middle-income countries
Pesticide self-poisoning is a public health problem mostly affecting low- and middle-income countries. In Sri Lanka, India and China suicide rates have reduced among young people, particularly females, following highly hazardous pesticides (HHP) bans. This success story requires attention to encourage more research on differential effects of HHP bans
“Ad hoc policy decisions” in the news
Modern agriculture relies on pesticides to maximise outputs. While many highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) are banned in places like the European Union due to concerns about harm to the environment and human health, their use continues in many low- and middle-income counties (LMICs). Pesticide suicide is a public health problem unique to countries where HHPs are used, and Sri Lanka has successfully implemented several HHP bans as part of a suicid…
Situational analysis of pesticide poisoning and perceptions of autoinjector devices in rural communities in Sri Lanka – a study protocol
Intentional and unintentional pesticide poisoning is an important public health problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Individuals who have been exposed to toxic pesticides, particularly organophosphorus insecticides, need early treatment. Atropine autoinjector devices offer a potential solution, allowing storage of effective treatment near agricultural workers' fields and homes that could be reached within minutes by the worker…
Stop blaming the farmer
The negative effects of pesticide use in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) are often blamed on the "misuse" of pesticides.The industry and government narrative is that the use of highly hazardous pesticides is safe when instructions are followed, and that harm occurs due to "irrational" and "improper" human behavior, linked to lack of knowledge by farmers.This assumption does not consider the real-life situations of pesticide users in LMICs…
Preventing suicide by restricting access to Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs)
Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide. A previous systematic review showed that regulations limiting access to highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs) were successful in preventing suicides. As the WHO strongly supports regulation of pesticides, we aimed to update and strengthen the evidence on the effectiveness of HHP bans. We conducted a systematic review by searching MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO databases in March 2024 for manuscripts publ…
A retrospective five-year autopsy based study of suicide in Punjab province of Pakistan
This retrospective review of suicide autopsy cases in five districts of the Pakistan Punjab showed that poisoning was the most common means of suicide, particularly with paraphenylenediamine hair dye. There is need for systematic collection of such data from all districts across Pakistan, which can lead to the development of a national suicide registry. This will allow official reporting of suicide deaths on a national level to help guide develop…
Trends of poisoning types in Sri Lanka
The implementation of national bans of HHPs led to a reduction in number of admissions as well as CF due to pesticide poisoning in hospitals in Sri Lanka, with no evidence of substitution to other types of poisonings. The reversal of the upward trend in hospital admissions due to pesticide and medicinal poisonings suggests that the bans contributed to a reduction in admissions from these types of poisoning
Longer-term impact of pesticide bans on suicide in South Korea
INTRODUCTION: Pesticide self-poisoning accounts for 14%-20% of global suicides. South Korea banned paraquat and eight insecticides commonly involved in suicide in 2011-2012. We investigated the longer-term (2013-2019) impact of the pesticide bans on reducing suicides in South Korea. METHODS: Suicide data by sex, age, area and method among people aged 15 years or above were extracted from registered death data (1997-2019). Data for suicide by self…
Seeing the similarities
Fatal self-harm, more commonly referred to as suicide, is a serious public health problem affecting individuals and communities worldwide. Some products and services, such as paracetamol, bridges, and railways, are recognised as requiring regulatory or design interventions to prevent suicide. However, others with well-established associations with suicide, including alcohol, gambling products, pesticides, opioids and firearms, are often framed as…
Trends and risk factors for suicide mortality in India from 2001–2019
One in four of all global suicide deaths occurs in India, yet the epidemiology of suicide mortality in India remains largely undocumented. We analyzed over 20,000 suicides among 829,000 deaths collected from 2001-2019 within a nationally representative random sample of about 1% of Indian homes using lay field reporting with dual central medical adjudication of causes. We applied suicide death proportions to national demographic totals to estimate…
Environmental health (18 works) · Medicine (18 works) · Poison control (18 works) · Pesticide Exposure and Toxicity (17 works) · Occupational safety and health (14 works) · Pesticide (13 works) · Public health (12 works) · Insect and Pesticide Research (11 works) · Suicide prevention (11 works) · Geography (10 works)