
Poison Statistics, National Data, 2012
In 2012, the then 57 (now 55) U.S. poison control centers provided telephone guidance for nearly 2.3 million human poison exposures. That's about one poison exposure every 14 seconds. While young children comprise a disproportionate percentage of the cases, poisoning affects ALL age groups, from infants to seniors. Peak poisoning frequency occurs in one and two year olds, but poisonings in teens and adults are more serious.