The NHS poisons service logged 721 potential UK pesticide exposures in 2024/25. The key UK pesticide poisoning and exposure statistics for 2026.
NPIS pesticide surveillance records potential exposures reported through health professionals, including domestic, accidental and occupational circumstances. It is not a count of confirmed workplace poisonings. This page separates those enquiries from pesticide use, agricultural ill health and wildlife reporting, with the period and definition attached to each measure.
Key facts and figures
- 721 potential pesticide exposures were collated by the NHS National Poisons Information Service in 2024/25, of which 689 cases were analysed.
- 89.3% of the 689 analysed cases (615) were graded no or mild severity; one fatality was reported.
- 84.8% of analysed cases (584) were unintentional acute exposures, with 4.2% chronic and 9.7% deliberate self-harm.
- 5,174 TOXBASE accesses about pesticides of interest were recorded in 2024/25, up 23.9% on the previous year.
- 476 potential pesticide exposures were recorded through NPIS telephone enquiries in 2024/25, 12.5% more than in 2023/24.
- ~9,000 workers in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain had work-related ill health annually, averaged over 2020/21–2024/25; this covers all causes.
- 12,767 tonnes of pesticides were applied to UK arable crops in 2024, according to Defra’s latest published table.
- 0800 321 600 is the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme number for reporting suspected pesticide harm to animals in Great Britain.
Checked on 15 October 2026. The NPIS figures cover April 2024 to March 2025; Defra’s latest arable-crop usage figures cover 2024. Wildlife incident reports and agricultural illness estimates describe different populations and must not be combined with human poisoning surveillance.
How many pesticide poisoning cases are there in the UK each year?
NPIS gathered information on 721 potential pesticide exposures in 2024/25 and selected 689 cases for further analysis. Its surveillance follows enquiries to health professionals rather than measuring every exposure in the population. The service recorded 476 potential exposures through telephone enquiries, compared with 423 in 2023/24, and 5,174 TOXBASE accesses about pesticides of interest, compared with 4,176. Accesses and enquiries are not interchangeable with unique patients.
The 721 potential exposures are not a count of poisoned farm workers. Among the 689 analysed cases, NPIS classified 412 people aged 13 or over as adults and 274 aged 12 or under as children; it recorded 357 male and 311 female patients. Seven enquiries involved pregnant patients, all acute and unintentional and graded no or mild severity. These age and sex categories do not identify whether exposure happened at work.
How serious are UK pesticide exposures?
Among the 689 analysed cases, 615 (89.3%) were graded no or mild severity, eight (1.2%) moderate, six (0.9%) severe and one (0.1%) fatal. The report describes 584 unintentional acute cases (84.8%), 29 chronic cases (4.2%) and 67 deliberate self-harm cases (9.7%). These reported categories do not cover every case in the total.
The severity distribution describes this surveillance group, not the probability that a particular splash, spill or inhalation will be harmless. The product, dose, route and duration of exposure matter. Suspected poisoning needs prompt medical advice; the figures must not be used to delay assessment or to judge a workplace exposure safe.
| Severity (Poisoning Severity Score) | Cases | Share of 689 analysed |
|---|---|---|
| No or mild (PSS 0 or 1) | 615 | 89.3% |
| Moderate (PSS 2) | 8 | 1.2% |
| Severe (PSS 3) | 6 | 0.9% |
| Fatal (PSS 4) | 1 | 0.1% |
| Not specified in summary (calculated remainder) | 59 | 8.6% |
The published severity counts leave a remainder of 59 cases, or 8.6% of the analysed total. The report does not classify that remainder in its summary. The table records the reported severity information; it does not establish the final outcome of every exposure.
What are the most common pesticides involved in UK poisoning enquiries?
The most frequently reported ingredients in 2024/25 were permethrin (83), glyphosate (59), bromadiolone (57), difenacoum (45) and brodifacoum (32). There were also 89 cases involving unknown rodenticides and 30 involving unknown herbicides. Multiple or combination products occurred in some incidents, so product and ingredient counts must not be treated as mutually exclusive patient totals.
The 2024/25 NPIS report describes tracking 694 TOXBASE entries for pesticides and biocides through surveillance established in 2004. Information comes from telephone enquiries and follow-up questionnaires after online enquiries. For workplace assessment, identify the actual product, its authorised uses, label precautions and safety data rather than assuming every formulation of an ingredient has identical hazards.
Why do pesticide surveillance figures differ?
Clinical enquiries, confirmed incidents, product use and wildlife investigations answer different questions. A potential human exposure does not necessarily become a confirmed poisoning, and an animal incident is not a human occupational case. These measures cannot establish a lower and upper bound for the true number of poisoned workers.
HSE estimates an annual average of around 9,000 workers with work-related ill health in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Great Britain over 2020/21–2024/25. That survey measure includes all causes of illness and is not a pesticide total. It should be read separately from NPIS enquiries, which include people outside that industry and outside work.
How many pesticide incidents harm wildlife and pets?
The Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme investigates suspected pesticide poisoning of wildlife, pets and beneficial invertebrates. Its reports distinguish suspected incidents from investigations where pesticides were involved and classify the circumstances, including misuse or deliberate abuse. A wildlife count cannot be used as evidence of the number of human occupational poisonings.
HSE lists 0800 321 600 for reporting suspected pesticide harm to animals in Great Britain. Seek veterinary help promptly for an affected animal and provide the product and exposure details if available. Secure storage, authorised use and the product’s label precautions remain relevant when protecting people, animals and the environment.
How much pesticide is used on UK crops?
Defra’s Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2025 publication reports 12,767 tonnes of pesticides applied to arable crops in 2024, compared with 14,799 tonnes in 2022, a fall of about 14%. Arable crops account for around 85–90% of pesticides applied to agricultural land. Weight applied is not a measure of human poisoning or a direct measure of toxicity.
The latest table includes 6,445 tonnes of herbicides, 3,898 tonnes of fungicides and 93 tonnes of insecticides in 2024. Longer-run comparisons depend on coverage: the National Action Plan’s 19.96 kilotonnes in 1990 and 12.55 in 2020 exclude sulphuric acid and represent a fall of about 37%, not 60%. The plan targets at least a 10% reduction in each of 20 Pesticide Load metrics by 2030 against 2018.
| Measure | Figure | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Pesticide applied to UK arable crops | 12,767 tonnes | 2024; Defra 2025 agriculture publication |
| Herbicides applied to UK arable crops | 6,445 tonnes | 2024; same Defra table |
| Fungicides applied to UK arable crops | 3,898 tonnes | 2024; same Defra table |
| Insecticides applied to UK arable crops | 93 tonnes | 2024; same Defra table |
| Active-substance weight, arable crops | 19.96 kt (1990) → 12.55 kt (2020) | Excludes sulphuric acid; 2025 National Action Plan |
| Pesticide Load reduction target | ≥10% per metric by 2030 | 2018 baseline (2025 plan) |
How does the UK picture compare globally?
International estimates use different definitions, reporting systems and exposure patterns. A worldwide estimate cannot establish the incidence among UK workers, and the NPIS enquiry figures cannot establish the UK’s position in a global ranking. Comparisons need compatible populations, case definitions and observation periods.
For the UK, the defensible conclusion is that NPIS recorded hundreds of potential exposures in 2024/25, with 689 cases analysed. Most of that group were graded no or mild severity. The report does not provide a national occupational incidence rate or establish what proportion of all pesticide illness was captured.
Who do you report pesticide exposure or poisoning to in the UK?
Seek medical advice first, then use the relevant reporting route. HSE’s Great Britain guidance directs human incidents to HSE or the local authority according to the circumstances; animal incidents go to WIIS, and environmental incidents to the relevant environment agency. Northern Ireland has separate DAERA arrangements. Keep product, location and exposure details for the authorities.
NHS guidance says to call 999 or go to A&E if someone may have swallowed, touched or breathed in something harmful; call NHS 111 if unsure whether it is harmful. Do not wait for symptoms or an incident investigation. Health professionals can consult NPIS, which is not a public helpline. Dutyholders must separately check RIDDOR’s specific injury, diagnosed-disease or dangerous-occurrence reporting criteria; not every exposure is reportable.
Frequently asked questions
How many pesticide poisoning cases are there in the UK each year?
NPIS gathered information on 721 potential pesticide exposures in 2024/25 and analysed 689 cases. Of those, 615 (89.3%) were graded no or mild severity and one fatality was reported. These are potential exposures reported through clinical enquiries, not a count of confirmed workplace poisonings or all poisonings in the population.
Who do you report pesticide exposure or poisoning to in the UK?
For suspected poisoning, seek immediate NHS advice: call 999 or attend A&E if a harmful substance may have been swallowed, touched or inhaled; use NHS 111 if unsure whether it is harmful. Reporting arrangements are separate: HSE or the local authority for human incidents in Great Britain, WIIS for animals and the relevant environment agency for pollution. Northern Ireland has DAERA arrangements.
What are the most common pesticides involved in UK poisoning enquiries?
In 2024/25 the most frequently reported ingredients to NPIS were permethrin (83 reports), glyphosate (59), and the rodenticides bromadiolone (57), difenacoum (45) and brodifacoum (32). NPIS also logged 89 cases involving unknown rodenticides and 30 involving unknown herbicides.
Why do pesticide surveillance figures differ?
The sources measure different things: potential human exposures reported through clinical enquiries, confirmed incidents, pesticide usage or suspected harm to animals. None should be substituted for another. NPIS surveillance does not establish the full number of occupational poisonings, and wildlife figures cannot provide a human case count.
Are pesticides covered by COSHH?
Pesticides hazardous to health and used at work fall within COSHH where its definition and scope apply. Employers must assess the risks and prevent or adequately control exposure, alongside information, instruction and training. Product authorisation and use requirements also apply under separate pesticides or biocides legislation. Northern Ireland has its own COSHH regulations and product arrangements.
Related guides
- COSHH Statistics UK: Hazardous Substances at Work
- Silica Dust Statistics UK: Exposure, Silicosis & Deaths
- Occupational Dermatitis Statistics UK: Work-Related Skin Disease
- How to Carry Out a COSHH Risk Assessment
- COSHH Safety Data Sheets: How to Read and Use Them
Sources & references
- NPIS Annual Report 2024/25, pages 54–55: pesticide surveillance
- Defra: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2025, chapter 11
- UK Pesticides National Action Plan 2025
- HSE: report exposure to pesticides
- HSE: Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme reports
- HSE agriculture, forestry and fishing statistics, 2025
- NHS: poisoning and urgent medical advice
- HSE: RIDDOR reportable incidents
- HSE: COSHH assessment
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Mark writes about workplace health & safety, COSHH and accredited online training for COSHH Training, part of Online CPD Academy.