Epidemic Malathion Poisoning in Pakistan Malaria Workers

Levels of selected persistent organic pollutants in blood from delivering women in seven selected areas of São Paulo State, Brazil

“…Reports of acute toxic exposure to POPs in adults, including a few studies on the reproductive effects of pesticides, have been published in Brazil (Baker et al, 1978;Igbedioh, 1991;Loevinsohn, 1987). Additionally, human data obtained by the Unified Health System's database ("DATASUS"), from 1994 to 2004 in the State of Paraná, Brazil, showed a significant decline in male birth rates in municipalities with high levels of pesticides present in the environment (Gibson and Koifman, 2008).…”

Industrial disasters and epidemiology. A review of recent experiences.

“…Such activities are d istr ibut ed between a sma ll highl y organized sector a nd a lar ge uno rganized sector; go vern me ntal co ntro ls in rega rd to labor and envi ro nme ntal sa fety in the la tter secto r are less stringent (37). A n exam ple co mes fro m Pakistan , where amo ng 7 500 field workers in a mal ar ia co ntro l program in 1976 as many as 2 800 experienced some form of to xicit y (38). It was also estimated that about 500 000 ac ute pesticide poi sonings occur a nnually, resulting in a bo ut 9 000 death s, and that only a bo ut I 070 o f the de adl y cases occur in industri alized countr ies which co nsu me, inste ad , about 80 070 of the to ta l wo rld ag roc he mica l production (39).…”

Are Oximes Still Indicated for Acute Organophosphorus Insecticide Self-Poisoning?

“…Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibited by dimethyl OP insecticides, such as methyl-parathion and dimethoate, ages quickly, becoming unresponsive to oximes after only a few hours. Degradation of insecticides in the bottle, during storage and before use, as occurs with formation of isodimethoate or isomalathion, can increase toxicity and reduce even further responsiveness to oximes [19,20]. S-alkyl OP insecticides such as profenofos do not appear to respond at all.…”