Pesticide Poisoning Management and First Aid
Objective
Describe hazards of pesticide use.
Enumerate signs and symptoms of pesticide poisoning.
Explain first-aid treatments for different kinds of pesticide poisoning.
Toxicity and Hazard
Risk = Hazard x Exposure.
Minimize risk by considering:
Innate toxicity of the chemical.
Spectrum of species affected.
Persistence of the chemical.
Mobility of the chemical in the system.
Manner of handling and use.
FPA Classification of Pesticides
Categories:
Danger (RED): LD50 < 50 (oral) or < 200 (dermal).
Warning (YELLOW): LD50 50-500 (oral) or 200-2000 (dermal).
Caution (BLUE): LD50 2000-5000 (oral) or 3000-10000 (dermal).
IV (GREEN): LD50 > 5000.
Common Pesticides and Symptoms
I. Insecticides
Types: Organophosphates, Organochlorine, Pyrethroids.
Common Symptoms:
Organophosphates: Excessive salivation, vomiting, breathing difficulty.
Organochlorine: Nausea, dizziness, tremors.
Pyrethroids: Irritation, allergic reactions.
II. Herbicides
Common Types: 2-4 D, Glyphosate, Paraquat.
Symptoms: Irritation, neurotoxic effects.
III. Fungicides
Common Types: Captan, Maneb.
Symptoms: Irritation, potential mutagenic effects.
IV. Rodenticides
Types: Fast-acting (Zinc Phosphide), Slow-acting (Warfarin).
Symptoms of Fast-acting: Nausea, difficulty breathing.
Symptoms of Slow-acting: Nosebleeds, massive internal hemorrhage.
First Aid Management
Immediate Actions:
Remove from contaminated area, check for consciousness/breathing.
Bring the pesticide container to the hospital.
Skin Exposure:
Remove contaminated clothing; wash skin thoroughly with water.
Inhalation:
Move to fresh air, loosen clothing, call for help.
Swallowing:
Induce vomiting if safe; administer activated charcoal.
Do not induce vomiting if unconscious, drowsy, or if corrosive poison swallowed.
Eye Contact:
Wash eye with running water for 15 minutes.
Additional First Aid Measures
Check airway and breathing, apply CPR if necessary.
Don't administer oral antidotes in unconscious victims.