December 12th, 2017
Toxic Exposure Surveillance System (TESS) data are compiled by theAmericanAssociation of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) on behalf of US poison centers. These data are used to identify hazards early, focus prevention education, guide clinical research, and direct training. TESS data have prompted product reformulations, repackaging, recalls, and bans; are used to support regulatory actions; and form the basis of postmarketing surveillance of newly released drugs and products. From its inception in 1983, TESS has grown dramatically, with increases in the number of participating poison centers, population served by those centers, and reported human exposures (Table 1A).1-19 The cumulativeAAPCC database now contains 33.8 million human poison exposure cases. This report includes 2,380,028 human exposure cases reported by 64 participating poison centers during 2002, an increase of 4.9% compared to 2001 poisoning reports.American Journal of Emergency Medicine Volume 21, Number 5 September 2003