POISONING
Shiromini Nissanka
Research Officer
National Poisons and Drug Information
Centre
WHAT IS A TOXIC
SUBSTANCE ?
• Any substance which is harmful to the
environment and humans. There are
naturally occurring toxins and synthetic
toxins.
Toxic Substance
Natural Toxins Synthetic Toxins
Poisonous plants Pesticides
Snakes Industrial chemicals
Other poisonous animals Household products
WHAT IS A PESTICIDE ?
• A Pesticide is a chemical use to
prevent, destroy or repel pests.
Pests can be Insects, Mice, Weeds,
Fungi or Microorganisms such as
Bacteria and Viruses.
• Pesticides - Insecticides
Weedicides
Rodenticides
Fungicides
INSECTICIDES
• Paraquat - Gramoxone
• Propanil - 3 4 DPA
• Glyphosate - Roundup
• Chlorophenoxy - MCPA
RODENTICIDES &
FUNGICIDES
• Zinc phosphide - Run rat
• Coumarins - Racumin
• Brodifacoum - Klerat
Pellets
• Accidental Oral
• Suicidal Inhalation
• Homicidal Dermal
• Occupational Eye contact
ORGANOPHOSPHATES
AND CARBAMATES
• Group of chemicals share a common
mechanism of cholinesterase
inhibition and hence can cause similar
symptoms.
– Phosphorylation of the acetylcholinesterase
(AChE) at nerve endings.
– Loss of available AChE results accumulation of
acetylcholine at receptor sites and effector
organ to become over stimulated by the excess
acetylcholine.
ORGANOPHOSPHATES
AND CARBAMATES
Contd.
• Clinical Features are based on
excessive cholinergic
stimulation. Unlike
organophosphate poisoning,
carbamate poisoning tend to be
of shorter duration because
the inhibition of nerve tissue
AChE is reversible.
CLINICAL FEATURES
• Eye contact: Irritation or pain,
lacrymation, swelling, blurring of
vision.
• Inhalation: Cough, difficulty in
breathing, bronchitis, pneumonia.
• Ingestion: Nausea, vomiting,
diarrhoea, sweating, salivation, small
or pin point pupils, muscle twitching,
fasciculation.
ORGANOCHLORINES
• Very few organochlorines are used now as
pesticides. Organochlorines are very toxic
if ingested or inhaled. Some are readily
absorbed through the intact skin.