Pesticide poisoning inhalation

Pesticide poisoning incidents from 1959-68 in Uzbekistan were analyzed. The acute poisoning analysis permitted us to divide sufferers into three groups the first indudes workers who have direct contact with pestiddes the second includes collective farm workers who worked in the fields shortly after the crops were treated and the third includes people who suffered the effects of pestiddes introduced into their bodies through water, food, and inhalation. 

Household pesticides Numerous formulations some contain hydrocarbon solvents, others are water-based. Pesticides used may include pyrethrins, organophosphates, or carbamates, but generally low potency and in concentrations less than 1.5%. The risk of pesticide poisoning is very low unless intenhonal massive exposure. Symptoms after exposure mainly due to inhalation of the hydrocarbon solvent. 

Pharmacologically, carbofuran inhibits cholinesterase, resulting in stimulation of the central, parasympathetic, and somatic motor systems. Sensitive biochemical tests have been developed to measure cholinesterase inhibition in avian and mammalian brain and plasma samples and are useful in the forensic assessment of carbamate exposure in human and wildlife pesticide incidents (Bal-lantyne and Marrs Hunt and Hooper 1993). Acute toxic clinical effects resulting from carbofuran exposure in animals and humans appear to be completely reversible and have been successfully treated with atropine sulfate. However, treatment should occur as soon as possible after exposure because acute carbofuran toxicosis can be fatal younger age groups of various species are more susceptible than adults (Finlayson et al. 1979). Carbofuran labels indicate that application is forbidden to streams, lakes, or ponds. In addition, manufacturers have stated that carbofuran is poisonous if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Users are cautioned not to breathe carbofuran dust, fumes, or spray mist and treated areas should be avoided for at least 2 days (Anonymous 1971). Three points are emphasized at this juncture. First, some carbofuran degradation... 

LCS0 Concentration of an active ingredient in the air which, when inhaled, kills half of the test animals exposed to it expression of a compound s toxicity when present in the air as a gas, vapor, dust, or mist generally expressed in ppm when a gas or vapor, and in micrograms per liter when a dust or mist often used as the measure of acute inhalation toxicity. The lower the LC50 number value the more poisonous die pesticide. 

The amount of the pesticides present in different autopsled tissues received from fatal cases of poisoning have been estimated quantitatively in our laboratory. In accidental poisoning cases where vapors of insecticides are inhaled, no insecticide is likely to be detected in the stomach or intestine but considerable amounts may be detected in the lungs, brain, and blood. 

Strychnine is a highly poisonous natural substance that is used in some countries for the control of wild animals. Today, strychnine is used primarily as a pesticide, particularly to kill rats. Its use is restricted by law. Because strychnine is highly toxic and can be rapidly absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth, stomach, and small intestines, theoretically it may be used as a military toxicant or terroristic agent. There are three main ways that strychnine can enter the body inhalation, ingestion, and through broken skin. 

SAFETY PROFILE A deadly human poison by ingestion. An experimental poison by ingestion, inhalation, intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and intramuscular routes. Moderately toxic by skin contact. Experimental teratogenic and reproductive effects. Human systemic effects body temperature increase, change in heart rate, coma. A skin irritant. Mutation data reported. Phytotoxic. A pesticide. An explosive. Forms explosive salts with alkalies and ammonia. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx. See also NITRO COMPOUNDS of AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion and inhalation. Moderately toxic by skin contact. A severe eye irritant. Questionable carcinogen with experimental mmorigenic data. A pesticide. When heated to decomposition it emits ver toxic fumes of NOx. 

The statements that immediately follow the signal word, either on the front or side of the pesticide label, indicate which route or routes of entry into the body (mouth, skin, lungs, eyes) you must particularly protect. Many pesticide products are hazardous by more than one route, so study these statements carefully. DANGER-POISON followed by "May be fatal if swallowed or inhaled" gives a far different warning than "DANGER CORROSIVE—causes eye damage and severe skin bums."... 

Organophosphates are efficiently absorbed by inhalation, ingestion, and skin penetration. To a degree, the occurrence of poisoning depends on the rate at which the pesticide is absorbed. Breakdown occurs chiefly by hydrolysis in the liver rates of hydrolysis vary widely from one compound to another. 

Absorption across the skin is probably slight and methods of pesticide use rarely include a hazard of inhalation, but uptake of ingested fluoride by the gut is efficient and potentially lethal. Excretion is chiefly in the urine renal clearance of fluoride from the blood is rapid. However, large loads of absorbed fluoride poison renal tubule cells. Functional tubular disturbances and sometimes acute renal failure result. 

Wait for calm weather. Applying any pesticide under windy conditions causes the poison to blow or drift where it is not wanted and greatly increases the risk that you ll inhale it or get it in your eyes. 

The time course of poisoning is dependent on the type of agent, the dose incorporated, and the route of exposure. Symptoms appeared minutes after inhalation of nerve agents and minutes to hours after incorporation of OP pesticides. Death can be observed (without treatment) within minutes after nerve agent inhalation and within hours to days after OP pesticide exposure. Description of the course of poisoning with OP and nerve agents can be found in many publications, either national or international, and it is mentioned in various different publications (B29, Ml, M2, LI5, and others). 

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