Table 2 Description of cases with moderate severity (PSS2), high severity (PSS3), and fatal outcome (PSS4).

From: Trends in poisoning associated with the use of insecticides for bed bug infestations: a 20-year retrospective study in France

#

Sex, age (y.o.)

Exposure

Insecticide

Severity

Symptoms

1

F, 0–4

Indirect inhalation immediately following spray treatment of a room

Unspecified

PSS2

Convulsive seizure

2

M, 0–4

Direct inhalation during treatment

Pyrethroid

PSS2

Convulsive seizure

3

F, 5–9

Indirect exposure following treatment of a room

Unspecified

PSS2

Convulsive seizure

4

M, 5–9

Phosphine inhalation the night after powdering the insecticide in a room

Banned aluminium phosphide

PSS3

Myocarditis

5

M, 5–9

Phosphine inhalation the night after powdering the insecticide in a room

Banned aluminium phosphide

PSS4

Myocarditis

6

F, 10–14

Indirect inhalation and skin absorption while sleeping on a treated mattress

Banned organophosphate

PSS2

Anticholinesterase syndrome

7

F, 20–24

Phosphine inhalation the night after powdering the insecticide in a room

Banned aluminium phosphide

PSS2

Prolonged vomiting

8

F, 20–24

Direct inhalation during treatment

Pyrethroid spray

PSS2

Dyspnea and prolonged coughing

9

F, 25–29

Indirect exposure of product the night following treatment of a room

Unspecified

PSS2

Prolonged vomiting

10

F, 40–44

Direct inhalation during treatment

Diatomaceous earth

PSS2

Asthma attack

11

F, 45–49

Five days of indirect exposure following treatment of a room including mattresses

Unspecified

PSS2

Prolonged diarrhea, paresthesia, tremors

12

F, 50–54

Direct inhalation

Pyrethroid fogger

PSS3

Respiratory distress

  1. PSS Poisoning Severity Score16, F female, M male.