What is Insecticide Poisoning?
Insecticides constitute a large variety of chemicals that are used to kill and eliminate insects including bugs, parasitic worms, and pests. Broadly, insecticides may be grouped into the following 3 types:
Organic insecticides: Chemical compounds consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that include organochlorides and organophosphates
Inorganic insecticides: Some of these are metal-based and include boric acid, calcium polysulfide, mercurous chloride, copper oleate, sodium thiocyanate, etc.
Natural insecticides: These are plant-derived and neem extracts, and nicotine-based insecticides among others
All insecticides are poisonous to humans; some, such as natural insecticides, are less toxic, while others are highly-toxic. Specifically, insecticides belonging to the family of carbamate and organophosphate compounds are highly-potent.
What are the Causes of Insecticide Poisoning?
Insecticide Poisoning may be caused by the exposure to a wide variety of insecticides. This may occur following a skin or eye exposure, inhalation of insecticide powder, fumes, or vapors, or by swallowing the chemical
Some insecticides are easily absorbed by the body, especially following skin contact or ingestion of the substance
This intake could be accidental, or in some cases intentional, to bring self-harm
The common insecticides in use include paradichlorobenzenes, pyrethrins, carbamates, neonicotinoids, ryanoids, organophosphates, organochlorides, insect growth regulators, and other biological insecticides
Note: The compound can interact with other prescribed or non-prescribed medications in the body. Such interactions may enhance the therapeutic effects of other medications being taken, resulting in undesired side effects.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Insecticide Poisoning?
The signs and symptoms of Insecticide Poisoning can vary from one individual to another. It may be mild in some and severe in others. Several systems of the body, such as the respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system, vascular system, urinary system, skin and ENT may be affected. The type of chemical compound, the quantity ingested or mode of exposure, dictate the type of symptoms that are noted.
The common signs and symptoms of Insecticide Poisoning may include:
Breathing difficulties; chest pain or tightness
Wheezing
Headache, sweating
Increased tearing from the eyes, redness
Increased salivation in the mouth
Nausea, vomiting; diarrhea
Stomach or abdominal pain (cramping pan)
Urination difficulties
Vision abnormalities including small-sized or enlarged pupils
Lack of light sensitivity
Increased or decreased heart-rate
Increased or reduced blood pressure (hypertension or hypotension respectively)
Feeling dizzy, confused, or agitated
Skin irritation, redness, and inflammation
Muscle spasms
Collapse and coma
How is First Aid administered for Insecticide Poisoning?
If a person suffers acute pesticide/insecticide poisoning do the following immediately:
Find out if possible the way the poison entered the body. This may either be through the mouth, nose, skin or eyes,
Carefully remove the individual from the exposure area
If the pesticide has been inhaled, move the person to fresh air.
If the pesticide is in the person’s eyes, quickly wash the eyes for 15 minutes with clean, gently running water. If there is no running water, bathe eyes from a container, frequently changing the water.
If the pesticide is on the skin, remove all contaminated clothing and wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water.
If the patient is not breathing, apply artificial respiration if possible.
Read the label on the pesticide container for any first aid instructions and keep the label for the doctor. It is very important to be able to tell the doctor the name of the pesticide.
If the pesticide is swallowed, and only if the person is conscious, rinse the mouth with plenty of water and read the label on the pesticide container for further instructions.
Quickly arrange for the doctor, or Community Nurse or Health Worker to be called or take the person to the doctor, clinic or hospital immediately.
Keep the patient warm and comfortable.
