Pesticide and nerve agents: Similar poisons, similar symptoms
:format(webp))
The bottom line
Organophosphate pesticides are used in agriculture and around the home. They can be very toxic. They are related to nerve agents used in chemical warfare. Choose, use, and store them safely.
Prevention tips
Read pesticide product labels carefully before purchasing.
Use the least amount of pesticide necessary.
Use personal protective gear such as gloves or goggles when handling pesticides.
Avoid using pesticides in enclosed or unventilated spaces.
Do not spray pesticides outdoors if it is windy.
Discard pesticides in an environmentally sound manner.
Keep pesticides in child-resistant containers and away from children and pets.
This really happened
A 4-year-old girl drank malathion, an organophosphate pesticide. She was brought to a hospital after developing vomiting and diarrhea where she became comatose and increasingly struggling to breathe due to secretions in her airway. She received several doses of atropine and pralidoxime, was placed on a ventilator, and admitted to the hospital. Despite ongoing treatment with atropine and pralidoxime, the fluid in her lungs continued to build up.
The hospital consulted a medical toxicologist who noted that malathion can stay in the brain for up to 14 days and that she might need up to 30 days of treatment.
The girl developed pneumonia from being on a ventilator but over the next 8 days needed fewer and fewer doses of atropine and pralidoxime. On day 8, she continued to need a ventilator to breathe, but her work of breathing was improving. The girl remained in the hospital for more than 2 weeks after drinking the malathion.
Poisoned? Get expert help.
Don't guess what you should do. Get accurate answers online or by phone. Both ways are free and confidential.
OR
call 1-800-222-1222
What are organophosphate pesticides?
Organophosphate pesticides are usually found in products like bug killers. They work by paralyzing the muscles the pests use to breathe. Specifically, they promote accumulation of acetylcholine in the nervous system, leading to exhaustion by overstimulation. Organophosphates are absorbed into the body rapidly after any exposure (including skin, inhalation, ingestion, or eyes).
Common organophosphate pesticides
Common organophosphate pesticides include malathion, diazinon, dichlorvos, fenthion, and chlorpyrifos. However, there are hundreds of organophosphate pesticides and hundreds of products that contain them.
Symptoms of organophosphate poisoning
Organophosphate poisoning causes “increased output”: runny nose, increased saliva, increased tearing, sweating, vomiting, and diarrhea. The increased secretions can get into the lungs and impair breathing. Other symptoms include small pupils, slow heart rate, muscle twitching, confusion, anxiety, seizures, and coma. Symptoms can continue for days and can be deadly.
How is organophosphate poisoning treated?
The first actions are to get far away from the source of exposure and decontaminate. Decontaminate by taking off clothes and then rinsing off with soap and water for 20 minutes. If eyes were exposed, rinse them with comfortable temperature water for 20 minutes. Those treating the victim should wear gloves and other personal protective equipment to prevent being contaminated.
After decontamination, medicine may be needed. Atropine counters the actions of acetylcholine. It is used until respiratory secretions dry up, which might be hours or days. Pralidoxime weakens the organophosphate’s ability to cause acetylcholine accumulation. Unfortunately, it is only effective if administered within about an hour of exposure, and it doesn’t work for all organophosphates. Thankfully, most people exposed in a civilian context who need medicine can recover with just atropine.
If someone is exposed to an organophosphate pesticide, do not induce vomiting. Instead, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
Are there long-term health effects of organophosphate poisoning?
“Intermediate syndrome” can occur 1–4 days after organophosphate poisoning. Those affected can experience muscle weakness, nerve pain, and breathing problems for several weeks. It is a poorly understood condition. In particular, we don’t know what amount of organophosphate one needs to be exposed to before developing intermediate syndrome, nor do we have standardized diagnostic criteria.
Are organophosphate pesticides still legal in the US?
Yes, but they have almost disappeared from products intended for use inside homes. They remain common ingredients in products intended for agricultural and outdoor domestic use.
Safe alternatives to organophosphate pesticides
For household use, alternatives include using essential oils, which essentially suffocate the pests. Diatomaceous earth can erode the shells of pests but only works on certain insects. Both solutions are labor-intensive and not universally effective. If possible, minimize situations that attract pests, like standing water or spilled food.
Insecticides containing pyrethroids are generally safer than organophosphate pesticides. They target parts of the insect nervous system not present in humans.
Organophosphates can be unavoidable in industrial settings. In that case, using appropriate safety gear and personal protective equipment will decrease the chance of the chemicals getting on your skin or in your eyes.
:format(webp))
:format(webp))
:format(webp))
:format(webp))
:format(webp))
:format(webp))