Aquatic Pollution and Coastal Zone Managememnt (2+1)

Unit 4 : Pesticide pollution

4.10.1.Exposure
Organophosphates are very efficiently absorbed from the skin, lungs and gastrointestinal tract. The majority of organophosphate poisoning occurs by accidental or occupational exposure, but poisoning may also be due to suicide attempts, homicide attempts or chemical warfare.

Organophosphate pesticides are active against a broad spectrum of insects and are used on food crops as well as in residential and commercial building and on ornamental plants and lawns. The exposure of the general population to these pesticides occurs primarily from ingestion of food products or from residential use.

Human Exposure to Organophosphates
As organophosphates have a wide variety of uses, there are many opportunities for exposure.

• Workers apply the pesticide or work in areas where pesticides have been used.
• Organophosphates are used in homes and office building or on lawns and gardens for insect control.
• We drink water or eat foods that have pesticides residues.

Organophosphates as a class have become the most frequently used pesticides because of their rapid breakdown into environmentally safe products. However, they have far more immediate toxicity than DDT and other related products. There are more than 40 different organophosphate pesticides in the market today, and each causes acute and sub-acute toxicities. They are used in agriculture, homes, gardens and in veterinary practice. They all work by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase and cause a similar spectrum of symptoms. In 2003, there were 6442 reported exposures of which 6010 were unintentional. 1695 of these cases were seen in emergency departments and there were 16 reported fatalities.